Yandex Plans to Commercialize Autonomous Vehicles Starting in 2028
The vehicles are expected to attract both fleet operators and private buyers.
Yandex plans to begin commercial rollout of its autonomous vehicles in 2028, pursuing a dual-track strategy. The company expects its “smart” transport systems to appeal not only to taxi fleets but also to individual consumers.
“Today, owning a car with a personal driver is largely a luxury,” said Tigran Khudaverdyan, an adviser to Yandex’s CEO. “In a driverless future, people will buy cars that come with an AI-powered personal driver, making the service far more accessible than it is now.”
He added that the business-to-consumer segment could ultimately outpace the taxi market. The goal is not to confine autonomous vehicles to limited zones, but to enable their widespread, everyday use.
This year, Yandex plans to deploy around 200 autonomous vehicles on public roads. Test drivers will remain inside the vehicles to monitor system performance.
