The Czech Republic has launched Europe's first passenger-carrying driverless train operating on an open railway line. 

The autonomous train runs along a 24-kilometer route (15 miles) in the north of the country. Unlike most autonomous trains, which only run in closed systems such as metros or airport shuttles, this one is designed for tracks in real-world conditions.

The driverless train, developed by Czech technology firm AZD Praha, has been named "Edita" and is equipped with cameras, lidar, laser scanners, digital mapping and AI to control traction and braking and detect obstacles.

During testing, Edita slowed down for a hare on the tracks and came to a stop for a herd of sheep, showing its ability to adapt to unexpected situations. 

Since the beginning of passenger trials, it has carried people over a total of around 1,700 kilometers (around 1,000 miles).