Düsseldorf Airport trials remote-controlled electric shuttles in May
Rheinmetall Subsidiary Mira and Düsseldorf Transport Authority Launch Remote-Controlled Passenger Shuttle Pilot at Düsseldorf Airport
In May, Rheinmetall's subsidiary Mira and Düsseldorf's public transport operator Rheinbahn will launch a pilot project testing the remote operation of passenger shuttles at Düsseldorf Airport. Two small electric vehicles will navigate a 2.5-kilometer route in the airport's public areas—not steered by a driver inside, but by an operator at a remote workstation equipped with multiple screens, connected to the vehicles via the mobile network.
The shuttles will operate on demand, with users required to register in advance through an app. Though the vehicles are controlled remotely, a safety driver will remain on board during the trial phase to intervene in emergencies. However, they will not actively drive; that task will be handled by the teleoperator, who monitors real-time footage from the vehicle across several displays.
The concept aims to cut staffing costs: a single teleoperator can manage two vehicles in staggered shifts, switching to the second shuttle once the first reaches its destination. Mira previously showcased the technology at the Xponential robotics and drone trade fair, where an employee controlled a vehicle outside the exhibition grounds from inside a hall.
The project's goal is to refine the technology under real-world traffic conditions and systematically evaluate its performance—much like other airports testing autonomous solutions for passenger services. Specifically, the partners seek to assess system stability in everyday operations, gauge passenger acceptance, and gather insights into economic viability.
Public transit faces both personnel and financial challenges, noted Rheinbahn board member Annette Grabbe. Technological alternatives must be explored to ensure service reliability, she said, adding that data from the trial will determine whether and how teleoperation could become a permanent part of operations. "The key is that new technologies help stabilize our services and deliver real added value for passengers in their daily lives," Grabbe emphasized.
Mira CEO Win Neidlinger called the project a critical milestone. "By efficiently remote-operating on-demand shuttles, we're making a tangible contribution to addressing labor shortages, laying the groundwork to secure and expand mobility services reliably and strategically," he said. The trial marks a vital step in transitioning teleoperation from pilot testing to practical applications in public transport.
The operating license for Düsseldorf's pilot was granted under an older regulatory framework requiring a safety driver on board. That framework was updated at the end of 2025, meaning future trials could potentially proceed without one.
For now, the Düsseldorf project will keep the safety driver in place—so passengers won't be riding completely unaccompanied when they board the shuttles.
