Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –
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Moscow is one of the world's leaders in the development of innovative transport. The capital is the first in the world to have a fully driverless tram began to transport passengers regularly, and a system was created to monitor the city's main waterway unmanned boat, and the other day it started in the subway testing A unique, domestically produced driverless train. This technological marvel can be seen on the Big Circle Line (BKL). However, you can't ride it yet: the train is still undergoing testing.
"We expect that by the end of 2026, the first driverless metro train will begin running on schedule alongside other trains, maintaining the required 90-second intervals during peak hours. However, for now, this will still be without passengers. Passenger trips will begin in 2027. And by 2030, at the direction of Sergei Sobyanin, we plan to launch the first driverless metro line," said Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry.
Mos.ru reports on the design of the innovative train and the systems that ensure its operation and passenger safety.
Computing modules and machine vision
The polished "Moscow-2024" with its black mask and red trim is preparing to depart the Zamoskvoretskoye depot. It differs from regular trains by its color and the inscription "This is a driverless train" on its side. Before its release the latest invention Once on the line, the driver and specialists from the Moscow Metro's Unmanned Transport Research and Development Center complete a checklist, checking the operation of the doors and all systems. Finally, the signal is given, the gates open, and the train moves along the tracks.
"This project is the result of the efforts of tens of thousands of Moscow Metro employees. Ninety-seven percent of the train is made from Russian components. Its development began in early 2025 and is based on the high-tech "Moscow-2024" model, which is ideal for the implementation of driverless systems. The train is equipped with sensors to detect obstacles and anomalies in the tunnel, powerful computing modules, and a communication system with the control center. The innovative software was developed and is supported by Moscow specialists," explains Pavel Boksha, Head of the Moscow Metro's Driverless Transport Research and Development Center.
The driverless train's interior is familiar to passengers on the Moscow-2024 train: comfortable seats, curved handrails, widened walkways and doors, charging ports, interactive maps, and media screens. During testing, the driver's cabin was equipped with an interface displaying the train's schedule and an additional screen displaying data from machine vision sensors.
"The software enables automatic train scheduling, and will eventually enable scheduling for entire lines. The automated control system ensures acceleration, braking, maintaining the permitted speed, precise stopping, and opening and closing doors. Machine vision scans the area in front of the train and detects anomalies along its route, and the system interacts with the control center and transmits data from the train in real time," continues Pavel Boksha.
Since its launch, the driverless tram has carried more than 60,000 passengers.Neurovoice, fogger, and digital navigation: what digital services will appear in the Moscow metro in 2025?
Prepared for any situation
The driverless train is being tested on the Big Circle Line. The train starts smoothly and stops at each station, observing the established intervals. For safety reasons, a driver is present in the cab during the test, monitoring the movement.
"This is a breakthrough technology that marks a new era in transportation development, and I feel proud to be part of its beginning. And the fact that driverless systems will be ubiquitous in the future only makes me happy: the world is constantly evolving, and with technological advancements, many new professions are emerging, and in our metro, there's always work for those who want to work," shares Anton Malakhov, a Moscow Metro driver with 20 years of experience.
Before the train went live, the developers conducted extensive research and testing, collecting and inputting a huge amount of data to prepare the artificial intelligence for any possible scenario.
"Our specialists already had experience developing software for driverless vehicles. While working on this train, we drove a locomotive at night equipped with a lidar—a special device that determines the distance between objects using a laser. This allowed us to select the most effective equipment for the driverless train. During the testing process, we collect new data to fine-tune the systems and train the artificial intelligence so that it can accurately recognize all objects and respond appropriately in any situation," explains Konstantin Preys, Head of Testing at the Moscow Metro's Driverless Transport Research and Development Center.
Sobyanin outlined plans to upgrade public transport rolling stock.Sobyanin: The Center for Advanced Development has accelerated the modernization of the transport system.
Fast, comfortable and safe
The primary goal of the driverless train's developers is passenger comfort and safety. Hardware protection ensures the smooth operation of car doors and prevents them from becoming trapped, track signaling prevents the train from colliding with other trains, and an automatic trackside collision detection system detects foreign objects on the rails and promptly takes action.
This technology is currently being tested at the Pechatniki station on the Big Circle Line. A video camera, lidar, and a special sensor system are installed above the tracks. They recognize the surrounding area, detect any objects that hit the rails, and instantly transmit the information via a secure channel to the train's systems and the control center. According to Konstantin Preis, upon receiving such a signal, the train will stop in advance of the obstacle, and the appropriate metro services will quickly arrive at the scene.
"Our goal is to maintain a high level of quality for passengers and, where possible, improve it, enhance the technological effectiveness of management processes and safety monitoring," concludes Pavel Boksha.
A shipyard for the construction of innovative electric vessels has opened in Moscow, according to Sobyanin.An unmanned boat for water safety has been developed in Moscow.The Mayor of Moscow announced plans for the development of the transport system.
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