TIER IV and TUM develop Autoware-based autonomous bus in Munich
TIER IV and the Technical University of Munich will develop an Autoware-based autonomous driving system for a full-size city bus at the German Center for Future Mobility site in Munich. The project will adapt experience from autonomous bus deployments in Japan to a European vehicle platform and urban environment.
- TIER IV and TUM are developing an Autoware-based system for a full-size city bus.
- MAN is providing autonomous-driving actuation and low-level software.
- TUM is responsible for the sensor setup and autonomous driving system.
- Real-world operations are planned on MVG routes with safety personnel on board.
- Testing findings may contribute to the Autoware open-source ecosystem.
Research moves toward a full-size city bus
The initiative is an early real-world application of the multi-year strategic research collaboration launched by TIER IV and TUM in October 2026. Work will take place through the recently established TUM Autoware Research Center by TIER IV.
TUM will use experience from Autoware-based autonomous bus deployments in Japan while adapting the software stack to a new vehicle platform and Munich's urban operating environment. The work is part of RISE, a consortium project led by TUM that is developing the scientific, technical, organizational and regulatory groundwork for autonomous buses and shuttles to enter regular public transport operation.
MAN Truck & Bus is equipping the bus with autonomous-driving actuation and low-level software. TUM is providing the sensor setup and developing the Autoware-based autonomous driving system.
Testing is planned on MVG service routes
The partners plan to begin with controlled testing. Following that phase, real-world operations are planned on MVG service routes with safety personnel on board.
The project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Transport through the German Center for Future Mobility Munich project. According to Prof. Dr. Markus Lienkamp of TUM, the project has a volume of €20 million for three years and is focused on developing an automated city bus with MAN and MVG.
"Through the TUM Autoware Research Center by TIER IV, we are drawing on software already used in Autoware-based bus deployments in Japan and adapting it to a new vehicle and operating environment," Lienkamp said. He added that the work will support TUM's collaboration with MAN and MVG to advance automated public transport in Munich.
Open-source findings could support wider deployment
The bus initiative will focus on safety, evaluation and scalability. Findings from system integration and real-world testing will inform Autoware and related evaluation methods, with results contributed to the open-source ecosystem where appropriate.
TIER IV founder and CEO Shinpei Kato said the research center was established to connect open research with real-world deployment. "By making experience from Autoware-based bus services in Japan available to this work, we aim to support TUM in advancing open, safe and scalable autonomous public transport in Europe," he said.
For Munich, the project creates a path from university research and vehicle engineering to potential public transport operations. The partners aim to establish a repeatable way to adapt Autoware to European vehicle platforms and practical mobility applications. Munich Mayor Dominik Krause said autonomous shuttles and buses could make the city's public transport system more attractive and improve connections to underserved areas.
