GOING DRIVERLESS: PostBus Switzerland has received a special permit from the Federal Roads Office to operate self-driving vehicles across an 80-square-kilometre zone spanning the cantons of St Gallen, Appenzell Outer Rhodes and Appenzell Innerhoden.
The vehicles — branded "AmiGo" — have been running since June 1, with safety drivers on board but hands off the wheel.
Full passenger service with up to 25 driverless vehicles is expected to launch in 2027, operating at SAE Level 4 automation. A remote control centre monitors journeys and can intervene when needed.
The partner behind the technology is Apollo Go, the robotaxi unit of Chinese tech giant Baidu.
Switzerland's public transport operator is betting on Chinese autonomous vehicle technology to serve rural and semi-rural communities.
The question is whether Swiss regulators will move fast enough to keep pace.