Lion Cub Takes on the Urals
An experimental autonomous tram will soon begin operating between Yekaterinburg and its satellite city, Verkhnyaya Pyshma
When the Tram Sees Better Than the Driver
At the “Cities of Russia” forum, developers from TMH and PC Transport Systems unveiled the autonomous tram known as Lion Cub. The system has already passed field testing and is preparing for real-world operations on an intermunicipal line linking Yekaterinburg to Verkhnyaya Pyshma.
Its defining technology is a high‑precision obstacle‑detection system. The tram is equipped with a dense sensor suite that allows it to detect everything in its path. If anything threatens operational safety, the vehicle automatically stops seven to ten meters before the obstacle. Once the track is clear, the tram resumes movement on its own without operator involvement.
Testing was carried out in full real‑world conditions: rain, fog, snow, and other challenging Ural weather. The tram also demonstrated autonomous readiness inside the depot, where it can already complete diagnostics, preventive checks, and maintenance without human participation. The onboard system performs self‑diagnostics and sends maintenance alerts.
If all trials conclude successfully, Yekaterinburg will become the third Russian city—after Moscow and St. Petersburg—to deploy a fully autonomous tram. This marks a shift from capital‑exclusive technologies to scalable regional solutions.
A City of the Future, Already Emerging
If Lion Cub enters service successfully, it could open the door to a national expansion of autonomous rail transport. Future phases may include the rollout of driverless trams in other major and mid‑sized Russian cities as part of federal smart‑city and intelligent transport initiatives.
The project promises a strong technological ripple effect. Advances in obstacle recognition, automated motion control, and autonomous depot systems are accelerating the development of Russia’s broader autonomous‑vehicle sector. This strengthens national technological sovereignty and reduces reliance on foreign systems in a critical area of urban mobility.
The export potential is significant. With strong results and strategic promotion, Russian manufacturers of autonomous control modules and automation systems could enter global markets—particularly cities that operate rail‑based transit but lack the budget for costly Western automation platforms.
From Potsdam to the Urals
The world’s first fully autonomous tram began operations in Potsdam, Germany, in 2018. That system, known as Combino, used a combination of lidar, radar, and camera sensors to perceive the environment. Meanwhile, China was developing a different concept: the ART (Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit) hybrid guided transport, which behaves like a bus but follows magnetic guidance instead of tracks.
Russia made its first major leap toward a fully autonomous tram in Moscow. Between 2024 and 2025, the capital launched testing—then gradual deployment—of the country’s first fully driverless tram. This was a turning point: Russia, long seen as a technology importer, suddenly reached the level of global leaders in autonomous rail transit. Projects like Lion Cub demonstrate that Russian systems can operate reliably in harsh climates—rain, fog, snow—giving them advantages over certain foreign counterparts.
From Trials to Daily Life
Lion Cub marks a breakthrough in Russian urban transit. For residents of Yekaterinburg and Verkhnyaya Pyshma, the benefits are immediate: safer, more reliable, and potentially more cost‑efficient public transportation.
For Russia’s technology sector, its success strengthens the country’s position in autonomous control systems. Long term, the export opportunities are considerable: cities around the world are seeking advanced, cost‑effective solutions for rail automation.
The Ural pilot is not an endpoint but the beginning of a new phase in Russian public‑transport evolution—one where automation and AI become everyday standards rather than experimental novelties.
