Ten mechanical engineering students at ETH Zurich have built an e-bike that rolls autonomously to the nearest sharing station after a ride. The so-called AutoBike is designed to go where bikes are currently needed—instead of having staff constantly redistribute the fleet using delivery vans.

The prototype is based on the well-known PubliBike bike-sharing bikes. To drive autonomously, the AutoBike folds out two small training wheels and moves through the city at walking speed. A 360-degree lidar system detects people and obstacles, while the bike steers, brakes, and plans its route on its own. The computer, an additional battery, and an emergency stop switch are housed in a box at the rear.

Two prototypes were built in just nine months. In May 2026, the second AutoBike had already completed autonomous trips between ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich. The team is now looking for partners for its first pilot projects.

However, the bike is not yet permitted to travel driverless throughout Switzerland. Driverless vehicles require approved routes and must be monitored remotely. According to the ETH team, they are in contact with the Federal Roads Office. For now, AutoBike will therefore be used on private property and in specially approved zones.

autobike.ethz.ch