Electric bus / cable car vehicle successful in prototype testing

The Institute for Structural Mechanics and Lightweight Design (SLA), the Chair of High Frequency Electronics (HFE) and the Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) at RWTH Aachen University have tested the first prototype of their electric bus/cable car vehicle.

The project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, is developing a mobility system that combines autonomous electric minibuses with urban cable cars and enables a seamless transition between the two modes of transport.

Fully automatic coupling process being tested

The first test phase with the ‘minimum viable product’ focused on the fully automatic coupling process developed by RWTH Aachen University, which enables the passenger compartment to switch between the cable car suspension and the road vehicle module in a matter of seconds while the vehicle is in motion.

To this end, the researchers had set up a reduced cable car model with a guided sled over a length of 20 metres and successfully demonstrated the changeover of the passenger compartment from road vehicle to cable car mode and vice versa. The test campaign provided numerous insights into the complex coupling procedure, which, according to the researchers, can only be gained through experiments with a real system.

Field trials planned for summer 2026

‘A key finding of this first phase is that the mechanisms and methods of the start-up ecosystem can be transferred very well to technology development in a research context,’ says SLA and upBUS director Professor Kai-Uwe Schröder. ‘By developing a “minimum viable product”, we encountered significant challenges at an early stage that could not be foreseen during project planning.’

This has significantly increased the probability of success: ‘Being fast and careful at the same time is no longer a contradiction.’ Based on the insights gained, all participating institutes are currently further developing their technologies. Field trials are planned for summer 2026 to demonstrate reproducible, safe coupling during real-world driving. ‘In this project, we will combine the robustness and elegance of cable cars with the intelligence and comfort of autonomous driving,’ says HFE Director Professor Renato Negra.

Follow-up project: pilot route

In a follow-up project, a pilot route is to be put into operation in the municipality of Simmerath, which is involved in the project. In the first phase of a feasibility study, the basic technical, spatial and nature conservation feasibility of such a pilot route has already been positively assessed. 

Subsequently, the economic viability of the pilot route will be assessed and a detailed impact analysis will be carried out. ‘Our current public transport system is reaching its limits everywhere,’ says PEM director Professor Achim Kampker. ‘The “upBUS” concept adds an extra level to the transport space, which reduces congestion, relieves pressure on land and cuts road traffic emissions.’