At least two small self-driving buses are to be put into service in Tallinn at the start of Estonia’s presidency of the EU next July, with the aim of showcasing Estonia as an innovation-oriented country.
Rapid developments are taking place in the field of self-driving vehicles, and the technology could potentially have a big influence on improving traffic safety, increasing regional mobility and saving the environment, the tender announcement said. The presidency of the EU offers a good opportunity to showcase Estonia as an innovation-oriented country and a pioneer in utilizing solutions with a big social impact.
In order to increase awareness of self-driving technology in Estonia and more broadly in Europe, small, self-driving buses will be put into operation on the streets of Tallinn during Estonia’s EU presidency, to be used for public transport on different predetermined routes.
The routes have not yet been selected, but they will have to meet the practical transport needs of EU presidency delegates.
The service provider will have to organize the preparation of the routes and ensure the use of the buses in an agreed-upon order and at agreed times, as well as provide a driver capable of introducing the work principles of self-driving vehicles in Estonian, Russian and English as well as taking over the task of driving when necessary.
ERR News
