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May 7, 2026 at 6:56 PM
The first Automated Mobility Summit (AMS) took place on May 4 and 5, 2026, at the Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich in Dübendorf. The event, organized by the Swiss Association for Autonomous Mobility (SAAM), brought together over 300 professionals from Europe, Asia, and the USA. The aim was to assess the current state of autonomous mobility and define the necessary steps to transition pilot projects into permanent applications.
A strong signal for the industry
The AMS is considered one of the most significant events for automated mobility in Europe. Participants included CEOs, national politicians, representatives from transport companies, and regulatory authorities. Eight autonomous vehicles were present on-site, including two for live test drives and six for viewing. The central message of the event was that autonomous mobility is no longer an experiment but is already in use on Swiss roads. Since 2015, 33 automated vehicles have been operating on public roads in Switzerland, and by 2028, this number is expected to reach approximately 100. This positions Switzerland as one of the leading countries in Europe in the field of autonomous vehicles.
Current projects and developments
Various projects demonstrate the progress being made in Switzerland. In Bern, the first Level-4 package delivery in urban operations is being implemented by Loxo and Planzer. Embotech reports over 3,000 autonomously operated vehicles in factories and ports daily. In Arbon, an automated bus with 20 passengers operates seven days a week through the city center. In the Geneva region, 15 Level-4 on-demand shuttles are planned, which are soon expected to cross the border into France. In rural areas, experiments are underway with up to 25 robotaxis for app-based ride pooling. Other initiatives include autonomous public transport in Furttal and the planned introduction of autonomous employee shuttles at Zurich Airport starting in the third quarter of 2026.
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Strategic considerations for the future
A high-level panel, moderated by Mélanie Freymond, discussed the prerequisites for the further development of autonomous mobility in Switzerland. Participants, including Jürg Röthlisberger, Director of the Federal Roads Office (ASTRA), and Barbara Schaffner, National Councilor, concluded that Switzerland has the necessary prerequisites. However, there is a lack of strategic courage to realize the vision of safer and more sustainable mobility for the population.
The SAAM has developed a roadmap that includes visions, goals, and milestones up to 2040 for passenger, freight, and individual transport. The aim is to integrate automated vehicles into the mobility system to make it safer and more accessible. The roadmap envisions that automated vehicles will become part of everyday life in Switzerland within 15 years, provided that the right decisions are made now.
Funding challenges
Funding autonomous mobility presents a central challenge. Switzerland invests around CHF 8 billion annually in subsidies for public transport. A portion of these funds would need to be redirected or new budget items created to support the transition to autonomous mobility. The summit highlighted that the business model for Level-4 vehicles in public transport is not self-sustaining. Co-investment from the public sector during the transition phase is deemed necessary to realize the potential of autonomous mobility as a public good.
