At the Herford demo site of the ULTIMO project, DB Regio is integrating automated shuttles directly into the existing regional public transport network rather than operating them as a separate service. This article highlights the progress achieved at the Herford demo site in the context of the ULTIMO project so far and the next steps as the project enters its final extended year.
A key objective has largely been achieved: seamless integration into existing public transport. Passengers can book a ride in the automated shuttle through the DB Regio MaaS app “Wohin-Du-Willst”, just as they would in any other part of their journey. When booking a ride, options to purchase a shuttle ticket appear alongside train and bus connections, underlining ULTIMO’s goal of making automated vehicles a true extension of public transport.
Although the vehicles were capable of on-demand operations, the project team chose a line-based service to accelerate testing with registered users. This approach proved highly effective: after a few weeks of route training, the service was opened to citizens and visitors in Herford. In November 2025, the automated driving system completed 100% of the route in autonomous mode for the first time. This success was repeated several times and demonstrated how line-based services can support faster deployment.
The Route (3,2 Kilometers)
Key Figures
- Total distance travelled in autonomous mode: 1,727 km
- Autonomous driving availability: 95.6% by distance, 95.2% by time
- Maximum AD speed: > 40 km/h
- Registered participants: 740 (9 March 2026)
During the first test phase, ZF Scalar provided fleet orchestration and was connected via API to the DB Regio MaaS app for ride bookings. Following the shutdown of ZF Mobility Solutions and the complex process of identifying new R&D vehicle providers, contract negotiations and test homologation, the Herford demo site paused operations from April to October 2026 at the conclusion of the first test phase.
DB Regio and the ULTIMO partners would like to thank the ZF Mobility Solutions team for their strong commitment and excellent collaboration.
Preparations for the second test phase are underway, with at least four vehicles from three Level 4 providers planned. DB Regio and ULTIMO partners will focus on accessibility, in-vehicle services, safety and comfort. An interoperable customer service and vehicle supervision centre is also being developed.
The second test phase will run until September 2027 and will implement and test all ULTIMO developments. Fleet management and orchestration will be provided by Padam, while an Open API connector developed by ULTIMO partners will enable booking across all three vehicle types. In addition to extended line-based testing, an on-demand service will be introduced, and autonomous bus lines will be expanded to more rural areas of Herford.
Herford shows how automated mobility can become part of everyday public transport. The focus is on a service that fits seamlessly into existing journeys: a ticket for shuttle, train or bus, step-free boarding for wheelchair users and passengers with luggage and stops aligned with existing platforms and bus bays.
The next step is to scale this integrated model and validate it under more complex operating conditions during the final phase of ULTIMO.
Public workshops, demonstrations and testing activities will offer opportunities for stakeholders, other projects and interested citizens to experience the developments first-hand. To stay informed, please subscribe to the ULTIMO newsletter at the bottom of the screen.
From September 2025 to March 2026, DB Regio and its local branch BVO operated two ZF Mobility Solutions/eVersum shuttles as a line-based Level 4 service.