Promoting the “European approach” to autonomous driving

Autonomous driving is gaining ground worldwide, yet in Europe it is currently still virtually impossible to use self-driving cars or shuttle buses on public roads. This is despite the fact that robotaxis hold enormous potential for improving road safety and making transport more efficient and sustainable. Robotaxis could also help to bridge gaps in transport provision in rural areas. But what steps need to be taken to realise these opportunities? And how can European stakeholders catch up with global competitors to ensure that autonomous driving is implemented in line with the European Way?

A team of researchers from the University of St.Gallen (HSG), in collaboration with the technology company Mobileye, has now investigated these questions. Drawing on exclusive expert insights, various market analyses and case studies of robotaxi ecosystems, they have produced an overview of the state of the global market for autonomous driving, with a particular focus on Europe. Through a survey of German consumers, they also examined potential user groups for autonomous vehicles. The results highlight trends in the supply, framework conditions and (potential) use of autonomous vehicles. Based on their analysis, the researchers also developed recommendations for action for European stakeholders to enable the rapid, widespread and sustainable implementation of robotaxis.

Scaling up in China and the US, pilot projects in Europe

The analysis shows that robotaxi services in China and the US are primarily operated by technology companies, whereas initiatives in Europe often take the form of projects led or co-organised by public transport authorities. “The European approach is shared mobility. The aim is to integrate robotaxis effectively with public transport,” explains Tamara Wisser, a PhD student at the Institute for Mobility at the University of St.Gallen (HSG) and one of the authors of the report. This stands in contrast to China and the US, where autonomous vehicles tend to replace traditional taxis, emphasises Prof. Dr Andreas Herrmann, also a co-author of the study and director of the Institute for Mobility at HSG.

There are also clear differences in the progress of implementation between China and the US on the one hand and Europe on the other. Commercial providers such as Apollo Go, WeRide and Pony.ai in China, as well as Waymo, Zoox and Tesla in the US, are currently expanding both in their home markets and internationally. In contrast, although there are numerous projects in Europe, most are still in the pilot phase. 

In Germany, for example, there are initiatives in Hamburg, Munich, Darmstadt and Berlin where tests have been underway for several years or are planned for this year. Oslo is regarded as the European hub for autonomous driving: robo-shuttles have been tested there since 2019. In London, several projects are set to launch in 2026, for example led by the US provider Waymo or the British company Wayve in collaboration with Uber. There are several initiatives in Switzerland. The “iamo” pilot project, for example, is already being tested in the Furttal valley and aims to supplement the public transport network in rural areas.

Framework conditions are crucial for successful implementation

Regulatory, political and infrastructural framework conditions are crucial to enabling the widespread deployment of robotaxis on public roads. These vary significantly from region to region – which also explains the differing stages of implementation, particularly between China and the US and Europe. In Europe, for instance, due to the regulation of operational deployment at a national level, there is a lack of a uniform legal framework across the various countries. 

Furthermore, policy in Europe is largely limited to the promotion of research and innovation projects and to declarations of intent, while the Chinese government is already prioritising the mass production of autonomous vehicles and the US is working on harmonising safety standards. In terms of infrastructure, scaling up autonomous driving generally requires ensuring that road and transport infrastructure is interpretable by robotaxis, that digital infrastructure and connectivity are robust, and that the operational, charging and service infrastructure is available in sufficient density.

Market potential with room for growth

Using Germany as a case study, the team analysed the current potential for widespread acceptance and use of robotaxis among consumers. The survey results make it clear that demand – at least among German consumers – has not yet reached its full potential, even though autonomous driving represents a real opportunity for safer and more sustainable road transport. Although two-thirds of respondents are familiar with the concept of robotaxis, only around half of them say they are interested in using them in the future. Lower transport costs are an important motivating factor among those interested. Furthermore, using them must not entail any disadvantages, such as a longer journey time. Potential users also want to know in advance who they will be sharing a ride with. A particular challenge for establishing the “European Way” in autonomous driving is the wide variety of reasons for use among the most interested target groups: whilst some seek above all sustainable mobility in robotaxis, others are interested in the exclusive experience of this still very new technology. Still others hope that robotaxis will primarily provide an affordable mobility option. Successful implementation of the “European Way” of autonomous driving therefore depends crucially on tailoring the service to very diverse user needs. 

Action recommendations for implementing the “European Way”

Based on their analysis, the authors draw up recommendations for action to advance the “European Way” in autonomous driving – guided by societal benefits and committed to high standards of safety, data protection and environmental protection. At the supply level, dialogue and cooperation between authorities, public transport operators and robotaxi companies should be encouraged to create an emerging ecosystem that, taken as a whole, can deliver greater societal benefits than the contributions of individual players. Better framework conditions are also needed: regulation must be harmonised to ensure safety and enable scaling. Policymakers should send a clear, positive signal of long-term and sustainable support to build confidence among investors. At the user level, the seamless integration of robotaxis into existing public transport services should be ensured, and user-centred business models developed to secure acceptance and demand among consumers.