So far without passengers and with a driver for backup
Russia’s first unmanned tram has rolled out onto the streets of Moscow, the capital’s Department of Transport reports. At the first stage of testing, which began on May 23, the unmanned tram moves without passengers, but with a driver and a system for duplicating his actions. It repeats more than 90 percent of a person's decisions and corrects his actions in case of an error. The system ensures the movement of the tram, but the final decisions remain with the driver.
At the next stage of testing, until the end of 2024, the self-driving system will take over control and decision-making functions, and the driver will insure the actions of the car. In addition, test trips with passengers will begin on route No. 10 from Kulakova Street to the Shchukinskaya metro station. On the third — final — At the testing stage, it is planned to ensure completely unmanned movement of the tram with passengers and without a driver at the control panel. This should happen before the end of 2025. And now the tram has learned to move completely independently around the depot.
The press service of the Moscow Department of Transport also reports that modern lidars are installed on the new transport. They allow you to accurately obtain data about the location of the tram and provide a 360-degree view, so the tram «sees» and stops in time if someone steps onto the rails. The software for the unmanned tram is created by metro specialists without the involvement of third-party companies. It is expected that by 2027, more than 80 percent of tram rolling stock in Moscow will be equipped with an automated control system.