Russia Tests Autonomous Baggage Tugs at St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport

St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport has begun testing an automated driverless baggage tug. The vehicle can recognize ground markings, adapt to staff movements, and safely navigate around obstacles.

The pilot program will continue through March 2026, after which the airport plans to seek a regulatory framework for scaling up autonomous transport technologies.

Next Step: Autonomous Buses

In the future, Pulkovo plans to test self-driving buses and other specialized ground equipment. The airport currently operates 340 service vehicles, about a quarter of which could be automated—a move expected to save at least 150 million rubles (approximately $1.8 million) annually, streamline flight operations, and reduce employee workload.

Previously, the airport announced plans to test Migom biometric boarding scanners integrated with Russia’s national biometric identification system. The trials are scheduled for 2026.