Moscow Goes Driverless: Trams, Trains, and River Boats Join the Autonomy Revolution

Moscow isn’t just experimenting with autonomy — it’s committing to it. In the not-so-distant future, passengers in the Russian capital will board trams, hop on the metro, or cruise the Moscow River — all without a single human driver at the controls.

The city’s first autonomous tram has already logged over 5,000 kilometers in test mode and is gearing up for regular passenger service this fall. Meanwhile, a self-driving train is being fine-tuned deep in the tunnels of the Big Circle Line — running test laps through the night. And yes, there’s even a pilotless boat designed for river patrols, already slicing through the waters of the Moscow River.

All of this is the brainchild of the Center for Advanced Urban Mobility Technologies — a Moscow-based innovation hub launched just a year ago. Staffed by some of Russia’s top engineers, AI developers, and transit specialists, the center is moving fast and aiming high: by 2030, most of Moscow’s tram network could be autonomous.

The tech behind it is nothing short of sci-fi. AI handles everything — braking, acceleration, door control, and even interval timing — learning as it goes. For the boat, autonomy isn’t just a novelty; it’s a practical upgrade for waterborne law enforcement.

Experts say this wave of transit digitalization is more than a showcase of Russian engineering. It’s a move toward safer, smarter, and more comfortable public transport — not just in Moscow, but across the country. Because when machines take the wheel, cities can move faster. Literally.