Russia is accelerating its transition to autonomous transportation, with Deputy Transport Minister Vladimir Poteshkin announcing plans for half of all vehicles to operate without drivers by 2050. The ambitious roadmap, revealed during a Thursday press conference, underscores the country's commitment to reshaping its transport infrastructure through cutting-edge technology.
"Efforts are underway to create the necessary conditions for this shift," Poteshkin stated, highlighting recent milestones like a 1,600-kilometer unmanned truck journey from St. Petersburg to Kazan. Engineers monitored the 24-hour test run on expressways, demonstrating the viability of long-haul autonomous freight transport.
Since early April, fully driverless freight vehicles have operated on the Moscow region's Central Ring Road, building on existing autonomous systems deployed along the M-11 Neva highway since 2023. These developments position Russia as a key player in global mobility innovation, with implications for supply chain efficiency and cross-border logistics across Asia and beyond.
