Unmanned taxis at the entrance: Uklon is preparing for the era of autonomous transportation
6 August 21:14
Robotaxis may start operating in Ukraine in the next few years. This was stated by Uklon CEO Serhiy Hryshkov, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports citing Delo.ua. ㅤ
The self-driving taxi market is experiencing rapid growth: by 2030, its volume could increase 15 times – from $2.8 billion to almost $44 billion. Autonomous cars are being actively introduced in the United States, China, and Israel, and the largest players – Tesla, Waymo, Lyft, and Baidu – are already testing or planning to launch full-fledged services.
According to Grishkov, the emergence of self-driving vehicles in Ukraine is also quite real, but only in limited conditions and not earlier than in 3 to 5 years. The company is preparing to cooperate with AV companies (developers of autonomous vehicles). However, its CEO clarifies that to launch the technology, not only testing is needed, but also significant investments in infrastructure: high-quality roads, markings, and digital navigation.
Another barrier is the legal framework. Ukraine does not yet have legislation regulating the use of autonomous cars. As an example, Grishkov cites the international SAE scale, which defines the levels of car autonomy. The introduction of such standards is a key step for launching technologies in the civilian sector.
In the coming years, autonomous cars can only be used in special conditions: for example, in military logistics or on clearly defined routes. A mass launch for the general market is possible only after a comprehensive modernization and the adoption of the necessary regulations.
At the same time, analysts predict that after 2030, the robotaxi segment will become a full-fledged part of the urban transportation infrastructure. McKinsey estimates that by 2035, autonomous taxis could cover up to 10% of all passenger transportation in the world. This will change the very nature of transportation services from car ownership to the “transportation as a service” model.
According to Grand View Research, a number of factors will drive the market growth: AI development, 5G rollout, lower sensor costs, and urban expansion. Companies that are the first to adapt to new technologies will gain a competitive advantage.
Read also: The taxi market in Ukraine is going to change: what should carriers expect
Large-scale testing of unmanned vehicles is already underway in the international market. Tesla, for example, has launched a pilot project in Texas, and Waymo conducts more than a million self-driving trips in California every month. In Europe, the partnership between Lyft and Baidu should bring autonomous taxis as early as 2026.
It is expected that in the future, such services will be integrated with other modes of transportation: buses, subways, and car sharing. Autonomous taxis can reduce traffic congestion, shorten travel time, and improve traffic safety due to the accuracy of algorithms and the absence of a human factor.
In Ukraine, the introduction of autonomous transport can also stimulate the development of related areas: telecommunications, logistics, and smart infrastructure. However, this requires government support, access to investment, and the involvement of international technology partners.
Ultimately, autonomous transport is a strategic transformation of urban mobility. The Ukrainian market should already be preparing for a future in which the role of artificial intelligence on the roads will become a part of everyday life.
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