Leuven: autonomous Mobility in Action

Welcome to the project page of the pilot project on autonomous mobility in Leuven – an innovative step towards the future of public transport. Starting in September 2025, autonomous shuttles will be driving through Leuven city traffic in a test phase. Passengers will be able to use the shuttles from mid-November. This project is a first in Belgium in terms of traffic complexity and is part of a broader European collaboration on sustainable mobility, thanks to funding from EIT Urban Mobility.

What does the project entail?

From early January to late February 2026, self-driving shuttles will transport passengers between Leuven station and Heverlee. After a test phase with a driver, driverless shuttles will follow. A trained steward will remain on board to guide passengers.

  • route: Leuven Station ↔ Heverlee (4 km one way)

  • timetable: daily, according to a fixed route determined after the test phase

  • tickets: digitally via the De Lijn app; season tickets are valid

Why is this special?

This is the first time autonomous vehicles are operating in regular traffic in Belgium. Previous trials took place on closed-off areas. Leuven is serving as a testing ground thanks to a thorough risk analysis and collaboration between public and private partners.

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Who are the partners?

The project is a collaboration between De Lijn, City of Leuven, Brussels Mobility, MIVB, TEC, WeRide (supplier of the vehicles, supported by the Renault Group), EIT Urban Mobility (European initiative), the Flemish government through the Department of Mobility and Public Works, and the federal government through the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport.

What is the goal?

This project is part of the broader Mobility Masterclass initiative, a training program on innovation in mobility. The project aims to:

  • build knowledge about autonomous mobility

  • test technology in realistic conditions

  • improve mobility in cities and rural areas

What are the benefits?

According to Flemish Minister Annick De Ridder, autonomous mobility offers opportunities to:

  • increase road safety

  • reduce traffic jams and parking pressure

  • provide better last-mile connections

European and Belgian collaboration

Unique to this project is the collaboration between public actors from all three Belgian regions. Discussions are also underway with federal and regional governments to further support the project.

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View the route on the map

Autonomous shuttles follow a fixed route of about 4 kilometers between Louvain station and Heverlee. This route has been carefully selected based on safety, accessibility, and relevance for commuters and students.

Click here to open the route in Google Maps
Want to know more?Would you like to know more about the AMAM project, the technology behind the shuttles, or how you can take a ride yourself? Discover it on this page and follow the updates via De Lijn and the City of Leuven.