Switzerland puts its first public robotaxi service on the road

Switzerland's first robotaxi service open to the public is now carrying passengers in Zurich's Furttal valley. The Iamo pilot places three electric self driving cars on ordinary roads across Boppelsen, Dänikon, Hüttikon and Otelfingen. Passengers can request a ride through a smartphone app and travel between roughly 100 designated stops.

The launch gives residents a practical test of automated mobility in a suburban setting, rather than a closed track or technology demonstration. The service operates every day from 1pm to 5pm, and each car carries up to three passengers. Users must download Iamo, short for intelligent automated mobility, from Apple's App Store or Google Play, register and select a stop.

Zurich's Office for Mobility is introducing the technology in stages. Pascal Kern, the office's head, says the authorities want to proceed gradually, reflecting the limits of the current approval and operating model. A trained safety driver remains in the vehicle, and the front passenger seat stays empty.

The project arrives as Switzerland tests how automated transport could serve communities beyond major city centres. Its first public deployment links a small network of villages with a rail corridor, giving the canton a live test of how robotaxis might complement existing public transport.

Around 100 stops across four municipalities form the pilot's operating area. Iamo serves Boppelsen, Dänikon, Hüttikon and Otelfingen, all in Zurich's Furttal valley. The route design reflects a clear regional aim: test whether autonomous vehicles can improve connections in places where population density does not support a frequent urban bus network.

Furttal already has a suburban railway line. That makes the valley a useful testing ground for first and last mile travel, with robotaxis potentially carrying passengers from villages to conventional rail services. The arrangement also lets planners observe how people combine a booked, flexible vehicle with fixed public transport timetables.

The service is limited to designated stops and a four hour daily window. Those restrictions give the operators a controlled environment while passengers experience the system in normal traffic. The small fleet can reveal how bookings, vehicle availability and stop locations work in real conditions, although it cannot yet represent the scale of a full regional transport network.

Swiss Transit Lab leads the project alongside the cantons of Zurich and Aargau and Swiss Federal Railways. Their partnership places the pilot at the intersection of municipal roads, cantonal regulation and national rail infrastructure. Results from Furttal could influence where Switzerland directs future automated mobility trials.

A 10 kilometre Iamo journey costs about CHF 8.50, compared with roughly CHF 44 in a conventional Zurich taxi. The pilot charges a basic fare of CHF 4.70, followed by CHF 0.38 per kilometre. That price makes the service accessible for short local trips and gives residents a reason to test the system during its limited operating hours.

Iamo remains outside Switzerland's public transport fare system. Passengers cannot use a General Abonnement or Half Fare travelcard, a significant distinction for regular rail users. The robotaxi therefore functions as a separately priced pilot rather than another service within the national tariff network.

The fare structure also reflects the project's current scale. Three vehicles serving a defined set of stops cannot provide the frequency or coverage associated with a conventional bus route. A passenger must use the app, plan around the 1pm to 5pm schedule and accept that the vehicle is shared with other users when capacity allows.

For households in Furttal, the test will show whether low fares can attract riders who would otherwise drive, walk or arrange a lift. For transport planners, the more important measure will be repeated use. Bookings, connections to rail and demand at different stops will help determine whether the model can work beyond a demonstration.