Selected test zones in Aarhus
ARLI tests autonomous robots in real streets and public spaces in Aarhus – from harbourfront areas to residential streets and dense city-centre locations.
Why these test zones?
As part of the ARLI project, a set of test zones in Aarhus has been selected for trials with autonomous robots in real urban environments.
Together, the zones represent a range of typical municipal settings – harbourfront spaces, residential streets and dense city-centre areas – reflecting the variety of built environments found across Danish municipalities.
The test zones
Herman Sallings Plads is a defined harbourfront area connected to Aarhus Citylab. It is bordered by quays on three sides and by a cycle path and a fenced basketball court on the fourth. Car access is restricted, and the area is mainly used by pedestrians.
This makes it well suited for controlled tests in an urban environment with clear physical boundaries. As part of Aarhus Citylab, it also sits within an established setting for testing new solutions in the City of Aarhus.
Selmersvej is a quiet residential street that is closed at one end. The selected test stretch is approximately 100 metres long and has no intersections or side roads.
Foot traffic is typically limited — often pedestrians, including people with prams. It makes it suitable for testing in a typical suburban operating context that resembles everyday conditions.
Rosenkrantzgade is a calm urban street, primarily residential, and closed at one end. It connects to the pedestrian zone, so traffic is predominantly pedestrians.
The area supports testing in a dense city environment, where buildings are close to the driving area and navigation options are limited.
Fiskergade is a narrow, older street behind the river in central Aarhus. ARLI includes two different stretches of Fiskergade, as they support different use scenarios.
The street is closed to motor traffic and ends near Frederiksgade, which is part of the pedestrian zone. The surroundings include back-of-house areas for venues along the river.
Fiskergade enables testing in a tight, complex environment with constrained space and demanding navigation conditions.
Fiskegade test zone
What guided the selection?
The test zones were chosen with a particular focus on:
- Urban spaces where autonomous robots could realistically support municipal tasks
- Locations with varying GPS (GNSS) conditions, including areas with limited satellite coverage
- Access to existing test and communications infrastructure
In the early phases, testing is typically carried out during low-traffic time windows to enable controlled trials. Over time, the same areas can also support testing in more active urban settings, including observing interaction with people in public space.