A driverless e-ATAK bus, produced by Turkish autonomous vehicle manufacturer Karsan, which had just started passenger service in Gothenburg, Sweden, was rear-ended by a tram only one hour after it entered service. According to Reuters, citing the regional public transport authority Vasttrafik, no one was injured in the incident.
Vasttrafik spokesperson Patrik Chi described the accident as follows: "The bus braked and was hit by the tram." This statement suggests that the autonomous bus braked in response to a traffic situation, and the collision was primarily caused by the tram's inability to stop in time.
Chi stated that the circumstances of the collision still need to be investigated, adding that "there was a safety driver on board the bus, who was ready to take control if needed."
In the footage published on the website of Swedish public broadcaster SVT, the damage to the rear of the bus and a warning on its bumper reading "Keep distance! The bus may brake sharply" drew attention. Karsan has not yet responded to Reuters' request for comment.
The accident occurred during the first hours of Gothenburg's one-year autonomous public transport trial using Karsan e-ATAK buses.
