Robotaxis have made their way to Switzerland. Since September 28, 2026, self-driving cars have been available for booking through the iamo app in Zurich’s Furttal region. Three electric Nissan Ariyas are operating in Otelfingen, Dänikon, Hüttikon, and Boppelsen. They are equipped with technology from automation specialist WeRide. The vehicles feature six LiDAR sensors, eleven cameras, and eight additional sensors that provide a 360-degree view of their surroundings. The service includes nearly 100 digitally designated pickup and drop-off points. A ride costs a base fare of CHF 4.70 plus CHF 0.38 per kilometer; Swiss Half Fare Cards and GA Travelcards are not accepted. The service operates daily from 1 to 5 p.m. Up to three passengers can ride at a time, accompanied by a safety driver who can intervene in an emergency. Autonomous driving is not entirely new to Switzerland. As early as 2016, PostAuto’s SmartShuttles were operating in Sion in the canton of Valais. The vehicles used at the time, however, operated under very different conditions. Depending on the area, their speed was limited to between 5 and 20 km/h (3 and 12 mph), and they traveled along virtual tracks. The Furttal project now takes a crucial step further: The Nissan Ariyas operate in regular traffic and have to handle far more complex situations than a bus traveling along a predefined route. That is precisely where the pilot project stands to provide valuable insights. And those insights are unlikely to come without incidents. In a real-world trial of this kind, accidents should be expected. It remains to be seen how the public will react.
BY OLIVER BENDEL
