Urbanloop

What Urbanloop does

Urbanloop SAS is a French company incorporated in 2019 (research started 2017 at the University of Lorraine) that designs, manufactures, and integrates a light autonomous guided transport system for short-range urban and suburban mobility. The system consists of compact electric capsules operating on a dedicated electrified rail (72V DC, third-rail shoe), supported by a proprietary on-board CBTC signaling system with a safety controller compliant with railway standards (EN 50126/50128/50129/50159), an intelligent scheduler for demand-responsive frequency, and a CROSS intersection system using cameras and sensors to authorize safe crossings in mixed traffic.

The product portfolio spans three capsule models — the "4" (2 seated adults in a 1.20 x 1.80 m envelope), "8" (4 seated plus up to 4 standing, capacity up to 1,920 passengers/hour per direction), and "12" (4 seated plus 8 standing, capacity up to 2,880 passengers/hour) — together with track infrastructure, modular stations with no on-site operating personnel, and a remote supervision system enabling a single operator to manage multiple networks. In July 2024, Urbanloop received the world's first homologation for an autonomous guided transport system without on-board security personnel, validated at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Olympic demonstrator that transported over 35,000 passengers with zero incidents. The system holds a world record for lowest energy consumption per kilometer at 0.05 kWh/km.

Urbanloop operates a business-to-government (B2G) sales-led model, targeting municipalities, metropolitan areas, government transport authorities, and industrial zones. Revenue is generated through (1) hardware sales of capsules, track, and stations under turnkey contracts; (2) managed services for operations and maintenance, typically delivered through a consortium with Keolis as the operating partner; and (3) professional services covering safety files, regulatory procedures, and engineering studies. Urbanloop is headquartered in Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy with operational and assembly facilities in Tomblaine and engineering/branch offices in Lyon and Strasbourg; announced deployments include Grand Nancy (Rives de Meurthe Nord), Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (2024 Olympics), Dunkerque Industrial Port Zone, and Abu Dhabi (Al Reem, targeted 2026 commissioning).

Name

Urbanloop

Legal name

Urbanloop SAS

Website

https://urbanloop.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Urbanloop SAS designs, manufactures, and integrates a light autonomous guided transport system on electrified rails, selling turnkey capsule fleets, track, and stations to municipalities, metropolitan authorities, and industrial zones primarily in France and Abu Dhabi.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autonomous Guided Transport Systems

NAICS

Urban Transit Systems (4851), Commuter Rail Systems (485112)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Tram/Streetcar Operators (TLAFAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Metro/Urban Rail Operators (Integrated Multimodal Agencies) (TLAFAEAG), Tram/Light Rail Stops & Stations (THAIALAC), Tourist/Attraction Circulator Shuttles (Downtown/Theme Parks) (TLAFAJAL)

Keywords

• Autonomous guided transport
• Electric rail capsules
• Urban mobility systems
• Lightweight transit infrastructure
• Driverless guided vehicles

Headquarters

HQ city

Tomblaine

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Transport System Design and Manufacturing: Urbanloop designs and manufactures capsules, tracks, and stations for transport projects. Revenue comes from system sales to municipalities and government agencies, including comprehensive studies, manufacturing, delivery, installation, and commissioning services.
2. System Operation and Maintenance Services: Urbanloop provides ongoing operation support and maintenance services. The company trains network operators and provides spare parts, intervening for supervision system or AI algorithm failures.
3. Professional Services: Comprehensive project services including safety files (DDS, DPS, DS), environmental studies, regulatory procedures assistance, and complementary engineering.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Urbanloop designs, manufactures, and integrates a complete autonomous guided light rail transport system: battery-free electric capsules (2- to 12-passenger models) running on a lightweight electrified guide rail, modular automated stations, and the CROSS intersection sensor system. It delivers turnkey projects to public-sector clients — feasibility studies, homologation files, capsule/track/station manufacturing, installation, commissioning, operator training, and ongoing maintenance — operating the network through partners such as Keolis.

Product overview

Urbanloop offers a modular autonomous guided transport system consisting of lightweight electric capsules (the "4", "8", and "12" models ranging from 2 to 12 passenger capacity), track infrastructure, modular stations, and the CROSS intersection system. The system is designed for urban and suburban areas, airports, tourist attractions, and industrial zones. All components are designed to work together as an integrated solution with no batteries required (power via track), no drivers needed (fully autonomous), and no intermediate stops (bypass station design).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The "4" Capsule Ultra-compact autonomous capsule (L 1.20 m x H 1.80 m) designed for micro-tunnels, underground passages, and semi-open areas. Features double doors for fast passenger flow, reduced construction footprint, and seats 2 adults. Targeted at space-constrained low-capacity corridors.
• The "8" Capsule Versatile capsule (1.20 m wide, 2.30 m high) with 4 seated and up to 4 standing positions. Suited to industrial zones, park-and-ride facilities, and general-purpose lines, with a theoretical capacity up to 1,920 passengers per hour.
• The "12" Capsule Express capsule with 12 places (4 seated + 8 standing), wide doors, and fast passenger exchanges. Designed for high-traffic corridors, airports, and tourist sites, with theoretical capacity up to 2,880 passengers per hour.
• Urbanloop Track System Lightweight guided track system on which capsules rest on two rubber treads. A central electrified guide rail carries 72V DC power via third-rail shoe, eliminating the need for onboard batteries. Ground-level installation occupies roughly 2 m for single track and 3 m for double track; compliant with France's Zero Net Artificialization decree.
• Urbanloop Stations Modular stations adaptable to all contexts, available as branch line or terminus in single or double configuration. Each station can accommodate 2 to 6 capsules per direction, is fully automated with no operating personnel, and is equipped with cameras, microphones, and intercoms for remote supervision and security.
• CROSS Intersection System Fixed sensor system for intersections ensuring safe coexistence with other road users. Uses cameras and sensors on poles to monitor areas in real time and provide capsules with accurate information about vehicle or pedestrian presence, enabling coordinated crossings at higher speeds.

Quantifiable outcome

• 0.05 kWh/km - lowest energy consumption per kilometer for an autonomous rail vehicle
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.

• KeoliscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKeolis has been a privileged partner since project creation. Collaborating on the first experiment in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines where Urbanloop serves as system integrator and Keolis as operator. Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines agglomeration community is the project manager.
• CertifercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCertifer, the global leader in railway certification, has been Urbanloop's Approved Qualification Body since 2021. Essential for certification and homologation processes required to operate passenger transport.
• CeremakeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical support on urban integration and environmental aspects of transport system deployment.
• Transport Innovation AgencykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuides Urbanloop within State and local authority services for innovation in transport.
• STRMTGcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnical Service for Ski Lifts and Guided Transport. Guides Urbanloop in homologation process for public passenger transport.
• CINIkeyOthersAssembly site located at Tomblaine constituting Urbanloop's factory for capsule assembly and testing.
• CRAN (Nancy Automation Research Center)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partnership for automation and control systems development.
• LORIA (Lorraine Laboratory for Research in Computer Science)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for software and AI development supporting fleet management and autonomous operations.
• GREEN (Groupe de Recherche en Energie Electrique de Nancy)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectrical energy research partnership supporting power systems and energy optimization.
• Constructions Métalliques de VOIDsupportingOthersMetal construction supplier for track and infrastructure components.
• Chardot TPsupportingOthersCivil engineering and construction work supplier for track installation.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Modutram: Modutram is a French startup developing a modular autonomous tram concept on dedicated guideways, with similar B2G positioning and lightweight urban rail approach as Urbanloop, though at earlier commercialization stage.
• SkyTran: SkyTran is a US/Israel-based developer of maglev-style personal rapid transit pods on elevated guideways; a direct technology analogue to Urbanloop's PRT vision, though currently at earlier commercial deployment stage.
• Beep: Beep is a US autonomous mobility services operator deploying shared autonomous shuttles across cities, campuses, and airports; addresses similar use cases as Urbanloop with a service-led rather than infrastructure-led model.

Others

• Keolis: Keolis is Urbanloop's primary consortium partner and operator of its deployed systems; also an indirect competitor since Keolis operates and procures competing transit modes (tram, BRT, autonomous shuttles) for the same municipal clients.

Direct peers

• Glydways: Glydways (formerly Wayfarer) is a US-based developer of on-demand autonomous transit systems using small electric vehicles on dedicated guideways, closely mirroring Urbanloop's PRT-style model with applications in urban mobility, airports, and campuses.
• 2getthere: 2getthere is a Dutch provider of automated personal/group rapid transit (PRT/GRT) systems using autonomous electric vehicles on dedicated guideways — directly comparable to Urbanloop's autonomous guided capsule network model and target customers (cities, airports, business parks).
• Vectus: Vectus is a Korean PRT system developer using autonomous electric pods on dedicated guideways; directly comparable to Urbanloop's core technology and target use cases (urban circulator, airport, campus transit).

Broad incumbents

• Navya: Navya (now Ligier Group) is a French autonomous electric shuttle manufacturer, a broader incumbent in driverless urban mobility addressing airports, hospitals, and city centers — overlapping with Urbanloop on government and industrial use cases but without a dedicated rail guideway.
• EasyMile: EasyMile is a French autonomous shuttle provider (EZ10) operating driverless electric vehicles on road and dedicated lanes; competes for the same urban and B2G transit contracts as Urbanloop but with a road-based rather than rail-based architecture.
• Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group: Doppelmayr is a global leader in ropeways, cable cars, and urban aerial transit (e.g., urban cable car systems in Latin America and Europe); competes with Urbanloop for last-mile urban mobility mandates from municipal authorities using a different but adjacent technology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInfr.linkedin.com/company/urbanloop
• Xx.com/UrbanLoop_Nancy

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Urbanloop