Switzerland's first self-driving taxi launches in Zurich

Switzerland’s roads are about to get a little more futuristic. For the first time, an autonomous vehicle service will begin transporting passengers in the canton of Zurich.

Self-driving taxi service launches in Furttal

Starting Monday, September 28, 2026, a pilot project is launching a self-driving public passenger taxi service. Called iamo, intelligent automated mobility, the driverless ride service will operate in the Furttal region, Canton Zurich announced in a press release.

Passengers will be able to book a ride using iamo to one of almost 100 predetermined drop-offs, including Boppelsen, Dänikon, Hüttikon and Otelfingen.

The price of an autonomous taxi in Zurich starts at a base fare of 4,70 Swiss francs, with a per-kilometre charge of 0,38 francs. The service will run each day between 1pm and 5pm, and can be booked via the iamo app.

Image credit: Canton Zurich

iamo to operate with a safety person

If you’re wary of hitching a ride with a fully autonomous vehicle, fear not, as each taxi will operate with a “safety person” in the driver’s seat. Services collect up to three passengers and take them to their requested stop.

iamo will operate three Nissan Ariya electric cars with “state-of-the-art sensors (six LiDARs, 11 cameras and eight other sensors)” and will use WeRide automation technology.

The Furttal region was chosen because of “its size and its existing public transport network,” the pilot project’s website explains. The initiative was launched as a collaboration between the Swiss Transit Lab, cantons Zurich and Aargau and the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB).

Reflecting on the benefits the service can bring to Switzerland, president of the Government Council Carmen Walker Späh said it “improves accessibility in rural areas, strengthens public transport, and opens up new opportunities, especially for older people or those without a driving licence.”

The next phase of the pilot project will expand the offering to minibuses and, eventually, remote operation, once approved by the Federal Roads Office (ASTRA).