We are bringing transport operators into the smartbus era
We are providing a solution to enable buses to move autonomously around the depot
We are providing a solution to enable buses to move autonomously around the depot

It is a bus that drives autonomously around the depot - without the input of a driver.

SmartDEPOT™ is a system that is a key piece of equipment in every smartbus, enabling it to drive autonomously around the depot.
It operates in a closed, controlled environment, making implementation possible even today.
The system can be installed at the production stage of any type of bus, including minibuses and standard 12m buses - always adapting to the individual needs of the transport operator.

Karlsruhe, Germany – 19 February 2026
At IT-TRANS 2026 (Karlsruhe, 3–5 March), Autonomous Systems will present its depot-first autonomy approach for European smartbuses. Co-CEO Jan Gramatyka will speak at the Market Update Forum on 4 March (15:00) and serve as an expert trainer in the UITP Academy session on smart depots. Autonomous Systems is also a Future Mobility Award 2026 finalist.

Gliwice, Poland – 5 December 2025
Autonomous Systems, a technology company founded and operating in Gliwice, has launched the Smartbus Pilot together with PKM Gliwice at the city’s depot. The project brings together local engineering expertise and the experience of a municipal public transport operator, advancing a new category of smartbuses – standard city buses equipped with autonomous driving functions for depot operations.

Gliwice, Poland / Oslo, Norway – 30 October 2025
Autonomous Systems, a European technology company developing autonomous mobility solutions for cities and transit operators, has joined the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) as a new member and contributor to the global dialogue on automated mobility.

Autonomy in public transport is often discussed as a future end-state. Here’s the practical view: what happens to costs and capacity when you automate the repetitive, non-revenue movements inside the depot. It starts with a simple ROI equation, breaks down the real cost buckets (per bus vs per depot), and shows why fleet scale changes unit economics - a straightforward way to turn “interesting” into “measurable.”

Depots are challenging because people and buses share tight spaces, and visibility is often interrupted by large vehicles and blind spots. Safety depends on where “the system’s eyes and judgement” live and what that implies for everyday operations. It then comes down to operational basics: low speed, predictable movements, pedestrian priority, defined operating boundaries, and well-defined staff procedures.

Autonomous buses won’t arrive via a single leap. This article explains why depot-first autonomy is the practical on-ramp: start in a controlled environment, learn safely in real operations, and build step-by-step readiness for street autonomy without disrupting service.