Autonomous Driving & Beep

How do I register for the autonomous test phase and cancel it again?

Join the waiting list 

To take part in the Beep autonomous test phase as a pioneer, you must have installed the Beep app, be registered, and be at least 18 years old.

1. Open the app menu on the left side of the Beep app.
2. Tap on the "Autonomous rides" section in the app menu.
3. Accept the privacy policy on the following screen.
4. Answer our question about whether you wear a pacemaker (our vehicles use sensors; as a precautionary measure, we are unable to allow pacemaker wearers to take part).
5. Confirm your email address if you haven't done so yet.
6. Answer a few questions and you will be added to our waiting list.

How can I book an autonomous test ride?

You can only book an autonomous test ride if you have been enabled as a tester after joining the waiting list. The booking process is similar to our regular service, with a few differences.

1. Open the Beep app and log in.
2. In addition to the regular service area, as a tester you will see a blue-marked area on the map - this is the autonomous test area.
3. Enter your start and destination address. Both must be within the blue-marked area.
4. Proceed as with a regular booking.
   

IMPORTANT: Autonomous test rides can only be booked for one person (yourself). Group bookings are not possible during the test phase.

How do I board an autonomous Beep?

Your autonomous Beep will appear at the virtual stop displayed in the Beep app. Please ensure you arrive on time, as we cannot guarantee a waiting time. Watch out for other road users as you approach the vehicle.

You will receive a notification in the Beep app when the vehicle is ready for boarding.

1. Tap on "Start check-in".
2. Authentication for accessing your Beep takes place via NFC (Near Field Communication). Hold your smartphone close to the vehicle door.
   - On iPhone, NFC is switched on by default.
   - On Android, ensure NFC is activated in your system settings.
3. The door will unlock once authentication is successful.
4. Board the vehicle and take your seat.

Where do the autonomous Beeps stop?

We are retaining our tried-and-tested principle of virtual stops for our autonomous test phase. As usual, you will be guided to your stop after booking and you will be picked up and dropped off at a virtual stop via the Beep app.

However, the virtual stopping points for the autonomous vehicles are subject to special tests and requirements compared to our regular virtual stops. As a result, the network of stops for our autonomous vehicles is not yet as dense at the start of the test, which may result in slightly longer walking distances. In the future, the stop network for autonomous Beeps will also become more efficient.

Can I book an autonomous test ride for family & friends?

Due to legal requirements, you may only book autonomous test rides for yourself during the test phase. Group bookings are not possible.

It may happen that you share a ride with other test customers who have booked at a similar time and have entered a similar route - we will of course retain our ridepooling concept.

How much does an autonomous test ride cost?

Beep's autonomous ridepooling is currently in a test phase. The main focus during the autonomous test phase is on further developing the offer together with our testers.

Booking an autonomous Beep is therefore free of charge during this period.

Through your test rides and your valuable feedback after each ride, we hope to ultimately be able to offer a commercial, autonomous ridepooling service that meets the needs of our customers.

Autonomous Beep rides are only free of charge for approved testers during the test phase and while riding in the test area marked in the app. There is no entitlement to implementation or free use. Beep reserves the right to adjust the test phase, change the conditions, or to terminate the offer in whole or in part at any time.

Our Safety Driver

We are currently in the test phase of exploring the autonomous driving technology of our Beep vehicles (VW ID. Buzz AD).

One or two safety drivers are always on board during this phase to monitor the technology and provide important feedback so that we can improve the self-driving experience.

The role of safety drivers is very complex and involves high qualifications. Before they hit the road, we check qualifications through interviews and assessment centers. In addition to successfully mastering driving simulations, they must also pass a specific driving license test and complete driving safety training.

After the application phase, our safety drivers learn everything they need for their deployment in autonomous Beep vehicles through theoretical and practical phases with subsequent final exams.

Our autonomous Beeps

Our autonomous Beeps are based on the all-electric ID. Buzz model from Volkswagen, converted so that the vehicles are able to master road traffic by themselves. The self-driving system installed in the vehicle comes from the technology company Mobileye. The vehicles are called ID. Buzz AD (AD stands for Autonomous Driving).

The Beep branding is visible on the autonomous vehicles, as is an indication that it is an autonomous vehicle. At the beginning of our test phase, the Beep used accommodates three passengers and a safety driver.

Testing area for autonomous Beeps

The testing area for our autonomous test phase is located within our current service area.

As a tester, you can see the exact boundaries in the Beep app once you have been activated - the area is highlighted in a special color. It will be successively expanded as further findings become available.

Service hours for the autonomous test phase

Monday 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 
Tuesday 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 
Wednesday 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 
Thursday 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 
Friday 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 

The autonomous service is not available on public holidays and weekends.

Please note that service times for autonomous Beep rides differ from regular service times and may change during the test phase. You will be informed of any changes in advance.

Our Fleet Control Center

We have built a Fleet Control Center for our autonomous service. The employees are responsible for monitoring the autonomous Beeps and ensuring safe care for you and the safety drivers.

The Fleet Control Center carries out a cabin safety check every time the vehicle arrives at and departs from a stop. This ensures that all procedures are carried out correctly when boarding and alighting. The employees at the Fleet Control Center are connected to the vehicle via a camera and can see the most important areas inside the vehicle.

In addition, the Fleet Control Center can track important vehicle data in real time, including:

• Current speed
• Seat occupancy and seat belt status
• Temperature
• Door status
• Range

Only when all conditions for a safe journey are ensured will the Fleet Control Center approve the arrival and departure, and the vehicle will continue to drive autonomously.

Guidelines for video and photo recordings during autonomous driving

Please note that filming and photography in our autonomous Beeps is strictly prohibited during the test phase - both for private and commercial purposes.

You are welcome to take a souvenir photo with the vehicle outside of it, but please refrain from doing so inside the vehicle. Repeated violations may result in termination of the ride and exclusion from the test phase.

Thank you for your understanding.

Feedback process after autonomous test rides

Autonomous driving is a new technology, and as a tester, you are one of the first to experience it. That's why we are curious to know if you were satisfied with the ride, if it was comfortable, if you felt safe, and what you liked or didn't like.

Whenever you finish a ride, the mandatory feedback process starts in the app. This takes approximately 1-3 minutes. The feedback process must be completed before a new Beep ride (autonomous or regular) can be booked.

In addition to the mandatory feedback, we may contact you individually by email for voluntary surveys and interviews on selected topics.