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Imagry and UNVI to Develop Autonomous Electric Bus for Public Transit
Image: (c) Imagry
Autonomous driving technology provider Imagry and Spanish bus manufacturer UNVI have agreed on a strategic partnership to develop fully integrated autonomous electric buses. The collaboration will integrate Imagry’s AI-based driving technology into UNVI’s M3 class electric buses. The first jointly developed vehicle is scheduled to hit the road in Germany as early as the third quarter of 2026.
Autonomous driving technology provider Imagry and Spanish bus manufacturer UNVI have agreed on a strategic partnership to develop fully integrated autonomous electric buses. The collaboration will integrate Imagry’s AI-based driving technology into UNVI’s M3 class electric buses. The first jointly developed vehicle is scheduled to hit the road in Germany as early as the third quarter of 2026.
Germany’s First Autonomous Electric Bus
The debut vehicle is a 10.3-meter electric bus engineered for driverless operation. According to the companies, the autonomous driving technology was integrated in less than three months.
The model is pre-certified for European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA) under GSR2. Beyond traditional public transit, the companies see potential applications in settings such as airports, university campuses, and medical facilities.
As part of the collaboration, UBSI will handle vehicle integration, procurement, leasing, and lifecycle support. This also includes responsibilities related to homologation, regulatory compliance, and technical readiness for fleet operations.
Autonomous Driving Without High-Definition Maps
A key feature of Imagry’s technology is that it operates without HD maps. Instead, the system relies on artificial intelligence, combining spatial perception, motion planning, and vehicle control.
This design allows autonomous operations to run largely independently of the operating location. Imagry notes that, as a result, the system can be deployed and scaled relatively quickly on new routes and in new operational areas.
Imagry has been developing AI-based autonomous driving solutions since 2018. The company states that its technology has already been tested in autonomous vehicles on public roads in the U.S., Germany, Japan, and Israel. It is deployed for Level 3 applications in passenger cars as well as Level 4 systems in heavy-duty electric buses.
Autonomous Buses Aim to Tackle Driver Shortages
Through this partnership, the companies are also addressing the growing shortage of professional bus drivers. They estimate that there is currently a global deficit of around 20 percent of the required drivers, with the gap widening every year.
Autonomous buses could allow transit agencies to extend operating hours, increase service frequency, and cover additional routes without requiring a proportional increase in drivers.
UNVI emphasizes that the collaboration is not limited to this initial vehicle. Moving forward, the goal is to combine Imagry’s technology with other body options in the manufacturer’s lineup.
Deployment Starting in Q3 2026
The first jointly developed vehicle is already en route to a project in Germany. Deployment is planned for the third quarter of 2026. The companies have not yet released specific details regarding the location or operator of the German project.