Press releases, AmiGo, News
AmiGo granted FEDRO
permit and begins hands-free testing with safety drivers
The Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) has granted PostBus a special permit for the operation of autonomous vehicles with safety drivers on the roads. The approval confirms that PostBus’s service meets all the defined safety and quality requirements and shows that innovation and regulation go hand in hand in Switzerland.
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The key points at a glance
- Once the mapping runs have been completed, AmiGo has received the special permit from FEDRO for level 4 autonomous testing in Eastern Switzerland (St. Gallen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden).
- The hands-free test runs with safety drivers on board started on 1 June 2026.
- The approval is based on clearly defined security requirements and comprehensive test concepts developed by PostBus in collaboration with FEDRO.
- Regular operations involving up to 25 vehicles without safety drivers are expected to begin from 2027.
- In future, AmiGo will supplement public transport where there are limited traditional transport connections.
A milestone for PostBus and public transport
The eye-catching AmiGo vehicles have been on the roads in Eastern Switzerland since December 2025. Controlled by drivers, they mapped the area of use in which the vehicles have been operating autonomously since 1 June using their cameras and sensors, metre by metre. At the same time, all the safety proofs required by FEDRO were provided at the TCS driving training center in Hinwil.
The granting of the special permit by FEDRO means AmiGo is now entering a new phase. From now on, the autonomous vehicles can be used in the 80 km² area of operation in the cantons of St. Gallen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden. A driver is always on board to ensure safety. Drivers are allowed to take their hands off the wheel, which is why we call this a “hands-free” operation. No customers are on board at this stage, and the vehicles will be gradually tested and developed in real traffic based on the mapped area of operation. AmiGo will complement the existing scheduled services, particularly where traditional transport connections are limited. The vehicles can be booked via app and are fully electric. Passengers are expected to be able to experience the service from 2027.
With AmiGo, we’re bringing autonomous mobility to life in public transport. The special permit granted by FEDRO shows that we can implement operations step by step and in accordance with clearly defined security requirements. Our focus is on building up a safe and reliable service that complements existing public transport where it makes sense to do so.
Stefan Regli, CEO of PostBus and Member of Executive Management at Swiss Post
Innovation and regulation go hand in hand
A special permit is based on clearly defined security requirements and comprehensive test concepts developed by PostBus in collaboration with FEDRO. It shows that Switzerland has created the right framework conditions for the responsible introduction of level 4 autonomous driving into everyday life.
Autonomous driving is evolving thanks to real-world experience. This is precisely what AmiGo stands for. With the largest pilot project of its kind, we‘re reaching a new dimension in Switzerland: several vehicles, a real area of operation and a specific range of public transport services. FEDRO’s special permit creates the framework for this – with clear requirements, regulated responsibilities and the goal of learning from operations for the next steps.
Jürg Röthlisberger, Director of Director of the Federal Roads Office FEDRO
Security as a key principle
As a technology partner, Baidu’s Apollo Go provides the vehicles and technological expertise. The company has experience from 22 million public journeys and more than 330 million autonomous kilometres. The latest generation of the Baidu Apollo RT6 vehicles are equipped with more than 30 sensors, including 12 cameras, 4 LiDAR, 6 radar and 12 ultrasonic sensors. They record the environment in full and process all data directly on board in real time. The system is supplemented by permanent remote monitoring via a control center operated by PostBus. Safety is a top priority for PostBus: operations without safety drivers will only begin once all the safety proofs have been provided in full.
Next steps
The next step will be to carry out testing with a closed user group. The first journeys without safety drivers are then planned, provided that all safety requirements are met. Over the longer term, the launch of regular operations with up to 25 vehicles, expected to begin in 2027.
About AmiGo
AmiGo is a mobility service from PostBus that combines autonomous driving with on-demand booking via app. The area of operation covers around 80 km² in the cantons of St. Gallen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden. AmiGo is supported by the Federal Office of Transport (FOT) and the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO), the cantons of St. Gallen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden and Thurgau, Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) and other partners. The technology partner is Baidu’s Apollo Go. Each vehicle is fully electric and can carry up to three passengers. More information: www.postbus.ch/amigo
Information
PostBus Media Unit, +41 58 338 57 00, infomedia@postbus.ch
