ULTIMO project partner Ruter As has started user testing of its self-driving booking service in Groruddalen. Testing has begun with a small group of individual users which is to be scaled up in the coming weeks to 300 beta testers, before a public launch in early 2025.
How did Ruter get to this stage? What are the next steps? Agata Cypriak vel Czupryniak, Service Designer, at Ruter As., gives all the details on this important milestone and next steps in a Q&A below:
At what stage of the process are you in now?
We started user testing a few weeks ago and are currently in the early stages of gathering insights on the Selvkjørende service. At this point, individual users are testing the service once, which helps us evaluate key aspects such as usability, reliability, and the overall passenger experience. During this phase, we also tested with a person with impaired sight who uses a service dog. This allowed us to assess how well the service accommodates passengers with specific accessibility needs. These tests help ensure that the service is inclusive and functional for a broad range of users. The next phase will involve opening the service to 300 beta testers, enabling us to gather more comprehensive feedback. This is a key step in the lead-up to the public launch planned for February.
What needed to happen to get to this point in the process?
Getting to this stage required a combination of strategic preparation, technical collaboration, and a dedicated effort from our teams. First, we secured the necessary regulatory approvals to operate in Groruddalen, ensuring the service met all safety and compliance standards. This was a critical foundation that allowed us to move forward confidently. We also acquired a WLA (white-label app) and customized it extensively to meet the specific needs of our customers. Our success has been driven by incredibly dedicated teams who worked tirelessly, often around the clock, to address the many challenges involved in launching a cutting-edge autonomous service. We adopted agile methods and design thinking throughout the process, enabling us to remain flexible and iterative, while still being pragmatic about what was achievable within the timeline. Early on, we prioritized user testing and interviews to gather real-world insights and ensure that the service was aligned with passenger needs. This feedback loop has been essential for refining both the technical and service design elements. Additionally, our partners at Mobileye played a vital role, constantly improving the maps and navigation systems to enhance the accuracy and reliability of our service within the ODD. It’s been a collaborative and iterative journey to get here, but every step has brought us closer to delivering a seamless and reliable autonomous ridesharing experience.
What has been the feedback from those that tested the vehicles so far?
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive overall. Most users have praised the experience, describing the driving as smooth and flawless. However, we’ve encountered some minor issues with the consistency of information displayed across the passenger screens and the app, with occasional mismatches that we’re working to resolve. While the majority of users are enthusiastic and excited about the service, there are naturally some who remain skeptical. A few have commented that the driving feels slightly “jerky,” particularly in roundabouts and more complex traffic situations. This feedback is invaluable, as it highlights areas where we can make further refinements to enhance both the driving experience and user confidence in the system.
Any initial key takeaways or technical learnings from the testing?
Beyond what has already been mentioned, the initial key takeaways or technical learnings from the testing emphasize the need to continue testing and learning. This is a research and development project that inherently requires extensive testing and iterative learning. Through this process, we gain unique insights into how the service functions technically, identify areas for improvement, and understand how it is perceived and experienced by users.
What are the next steps?
The immediate next step is to expand testing to include 300 beta users. This will allow us to observe how the service performs under increased and more diverse use. During this phase, we’ll continue making iterative improvements based on feedback and technical data. Internally, we’re aligning on the final preparations for the February launch to ensure everything runs smoothly when the service becomes publicly available.
