Russia Begins Testing AI-Powered Public and Freight Transport

From smart trams to autonomous trucks, Russia is moving forward with AI-driven vehicles that could reshape logistics and urban transit.

Russia is actively testing artificial intelligence in transportation. In St. Petersburg, smart trams are being trialed at a dedicated facility, according to city transit agency Gorelectrotrans.

The highly automated rail vehicles pave the way for autonomous systems in Russian cities. Fully AI-controlled trams could soon appear in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The first such vehicle was tested in the capital in late 2024. It navigates streets by analyzing road conditions, pedestrian behavior, and other vehicles in real time.

Meanwhile, autonomous freight trucks are also in development. Experts cite Russia as one of the global leaders in this space. AI-powered trucks are being built on GAZ and KAMAZ platforms, with additional models developed by Sberrobotics. By the end of 2025, as many as 100 of these vehicles could be operating on Russian roads.

The initiative aims to tackle workforce shortages in logistics, speed up deliveries, and improve public transit efficiency in major urban areas.