Guardian angel in an emergency: MAN SafeStop Assist takes over if the bus driver is incapacitated

Successful start for MAN Truck & Bus at this year's Busworld: on the eve of the trade fair opening, the company was presented with the prestigious Busworld Digital Award 2025. In the "Digitally Enhanced Driving" category, the international jury of experts recognised the new MAN SafeStop Assist, which significantly improves safety in intercity and coaches. MAN is thus continuing its success story. The manufacturer had already received a "Digital Award" for its smart cockpit at Busworld 2023.

"We are delighted that our innovations have impressed the expert jury and that MAN has won the Busworld Digital Award for the second time," said Heinz Kiess, Head of Product Marketing Bus at MAN Truck & Bus, at the award ceremony. This took place yesterday during the official Busworld press conference in Brussels. This was the second edition of the competition, which focuses on digital solutions that make public transport and travel safer, more efficient and more comfortable. In addition to the "Digitally Enhanced Driving" category won by MAN, developments in the categories "Digital Operational Excellence", "E-Mobility Management" and "Digital On-Board Comfort" were also honoured.  A jury of experts from the bus industry, private entrepreneurs, journalists and UX (user experience) designers had compiled a shortlist from a large number of submissions and selected the winners from this list.

Innovation with major safety benefits

The intelligent MAN SafeStop Assist particularly impressed the jury because it helps to prevent serious bus accidents. These occur time and again when drivers are no longer able to control their vehicles due to medical or other emergencies. This is exactly where MAN SafeStop Assist comes in: if the system detects that the driver is no longer able to act, it automatically and safely brings the bus to a halt. This is made possible by the sophisticated interaction of several highly developed systems, such as the attention, lane return and emergency brake assistants.

"It happens time and again that drivers suddenly become unresponsive – with fatal consequences," says Kiess. "With SafeStop Assist, we offer a solution that can prevent such scenarios. In doing so, we are setting new standards in safety for passengers, drivers and other road users."

Unique in the double-decker segment

Since the 2024 model year, MAN SafeStop Assist has been available for the MAN Lion’s Intercity, MAN Lion’s Coach, NEOPLAN Tourliner and NEOPLAN Skyliner – the only European double-decker bus. At Busworld, visitors to the MAN stand can experience a NEOPLAN Skyliner "Auwärter Edition" equipped with the system as standard. The new fully electric MAN Lion's Coach E, which is celebrating its world premiere in Brussels, also features SafeStop Assist.

“No other manufacturer currently offers a comparable system for all current coach models,” emphasises Kiess, adding: “This makes SafeStop Assist one of the most significant innovations in our extensive range of driver assistance systems – not only in technical terms, but above all in terms of safety in coach transport.”