The Yvelines department is trialing a new mode of transport that could well be a game-changer for off-peak travel. An autonomous driverless shuttle has been operating since November 17, 2025, in Montigny-le-Bretonneux and Guyancourt. Called SQY Flex, this electric shuttle bus developed by Milla Group serves 22 stops on a 20-kilometer route around the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines train station. This is the first time that an autonomous shuttle bus has operatedin a dense urban environment over such a large area in the Île-de-France region.
This free on-demand transport service currently operates Monday to Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Two electric minibuses crisscross the area to meet a specific need: to open up business parks during off-peak hours. Residents, students, and employees who do not have their own vehicles can now easily get around during their lunch break. Although an operator is currently present in the vehicle, this service should soon be able to operate without anyone on board.
To use SQY Flex, simply download the mobile app of the same name, available on Google Play and soon on the App Store. You book your trip in advance via the app, just as you would with a ride-hailing platform. Once the request has been validated, the user is invited to go to a nearby stop, with an indicated arrival time. The service only operates from Monday to Friday, between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., during lunchtime. The vehicles can currently accommodate up to 10 passengers and are accessible to people with reduced mobility. Capacity could increase to 15 people by the end of the trial.
The autonomous shuttles run on a 20-kilometer route and serve 22 stops between Montigny-le-Bretonneux and Guyancourt. The service is concentrated around the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines train station, which sees 50,000 passengers daily, and the main economic activity areas in the sector. Stops include Pas du Lac, the National Velodrome, the city center, and several business districts. This coverage connects employment hubs, university campuses, and residential areas that are less well served by traditional public transportation during off-peak hours.
The service is open to everyone, free of charge, for the duration of the one-year trial. Residents, students, and employees in the area can use it without restriction. The aim is to offer a practical mobility solution to those who do not have a personal vehicle for their lunch breaks or short journeys in the area. This trial is particularly aimed at people who work in business parks and need to get around during their lunch break, but also residents who need to run errands or attend appointments during the day.
The steering wheel turns on its own, without human intervention. Although a safety operator remains on board for the time being, the autonomous technology manages the entire journey. Safety is at the heart of the system. The shuttles are equipped with six lasers, two cameras, and a radar. Theartificial intelligence system is reinforced by redundant sensors to anticipate obstacles and manage interactions with other road users. A supervision center based in Bucharest monitors each journey in real time. Operators can communicate with passengers or take remote control if necessary. These vehicles travel at speeds of between 30 and 50 km/h, without requiring any specific road modifications.
Within three to six months, these autonomous shuttles could be operating without any safety operators on board. This would be a first in the Île-de-France region in such a dense urban environment. The project, funded to the tune of €360,000 bythe Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines urbancommunity, is part of an innovative approach to urban mobility. This experiment draws on the expertise of Milla Group, a French start-up specializing in autonomous transport that develops level 4 automated vehicles.
This experiment opens up interesting prospects for other areas. The model tested in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines could be rolled out in other areas that are poorly served during off-peak hours or in sectors where conventional transport services are not profitable. Business parks, university campuses, and suburban neighborhoods could benefit from this type of service to fill gaps in public transportation schedules. The aim is to complement existing services, not replace them, by improving access to business parks and transportation hubs.
In short, this driverless shuttle trial in the Yvelines department may mark a turning point in the organization of public transport. It is a project worth following closely to see whether this model will be replicated elsewhere in the Île-de-France region.
Location
Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines
saint quentin en yvelines
78180 Montigny le Bretonneux
