Russia’s First Driverless Tram Logs Over 6,000 Kilometers—Now It’s Carrying Passengers

The 'Lyonok-Moscow' tram is more than a tech demo—it’s already transporting passengers through the streets of Moscow.

Passengers on Route 10 in Moscow’s Strogino district can now ride the first autonomous tram in Russia. Since fall 2024, the 'Lyonok-Moscow' model has traveled more than 6,000 kilometers—initially in technical testing mode, and now with riders on board.

What makes this tram unique, even by global standards, is its complex control system integrating software, cameras, radar, and other sensors—entirely developed by Moscow-based engineers. Between May and August 2024, the system completed 800 kilometers of test runs without a single incident. In September, it began carrying passengers, and by January it was operating switches and directional controls autonomously.

Moscow city officials stress that safety is the top priority in deploying new technologies. With the AI proving itself as a capable operator, officials say driverless trams are likely to become a regular feature of the city’s transportation network, and could soon expand to other regions.