Uklon Demonstrates Robotaxi Technology in Ukraine for the First Time: How It Could Transform Transportation
28 May 03:46
The Ukrainian taxi service Uklon has publicly demonstrated remote vehicle control technology in Ukraine for the first time. This development could be a step toward the introduction of autonomous vehicles and robotaxis in Ukraine.
The demonstration was announced by the company’s CEO, Serhiy Hryshkov, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
According to him, the presentation took place in partnership with Boryspil International Airport and was part of a public discussion on the future of autonomous transport in Ukraine.
What exactly did Uklon demonstrate?
Uklon demonstrated remote vehicle control technology. This is a solution that allows a vehicle to be controlled remotely and can serve as an intermediate step before the full-scale launch of autonomous vehicles.
Such technologies could form the basis for the development of robotaxis—passenger transport services without a driver on board. Globally, this field is already actively developing, while in Ukraine, it is only just beginning to be publicly tested and discussed.
The demonstration took place at Boryspil
Uklon conducted the public demonstration of the technology in partnership with Boryspil International Airport. This venue is symbolic, as airports, logistics hubs, and major transportation hubs could be among the first places where autonomous technologies find practical application.
The company believes that Ukraine has the potential to develop such solutions, particularly thanks to its strong engineering workforce, technological expertise, and investor interest.
The global robotaxi market is growing rapidly
According to Serhii Hryshkov, the global autonomous transport market is developing very rapidly. Companies such as Waymo, Baidu Apollo Go, and WeRide are already making hundreds of thousands of commercial trips every week.
According to forecasts, by 2035, the global autonomous transport market could reach $2 trillion.
This means that robotaxis and autonomous transportation solutions are no longer just a technology of the future but are gradually becoming part of the real market.
Where else can autonomous transport be used?
Uklon emphasizes that the potential of autonomous technologies is not limited to taxi services. Such systems can be applied in areas where human involvement is difficult, dangerous, or economically inefficient.
Potential areas include:
- logistics;
- industry;
- construction;
- transportation in restricted areas;
- airports and transportation hubs;
- work in hazardous areas;
- demining;
- infrastructure restoration.
For Ukraine, the areas of demining and infrastructure restoration may be particularly important, as the country will need large-scale technological solutions for safe operations in hazardous areas after the war.
Cooperation between business and the state is needed
Uklon notes that the development of autonomous transport is impossible without close cooperation between business and the state. Launching such technologies requires not only engineering solutions but also legal regulations, safety rules, infrastructure, testing standards, and permitting procedures.
Robotaxis and autonomous vehicles require specific traffic rules, liability definitions, operator requirements, and technical standards. Without these, the full-scale launch of such services will be difficult.
Uklon Expands Its Business Areas
The robotaxi technology demonstration took place against the backdrop of Uklon’s active growth. According to the data provided, the company’s revenue in the first quarter reached $32.9 million, and the total number of trips exceeded 43.7 million.
The company also changed its management structure, launched the Travel service for booking bus tickets, and increased the number of deliveries to 1.5 million over three months.
This indicates that Uklon is gradually moving beyond the scope of a traditional ride-hailing service and developing a broader ecosystem of transportation and logistics services.
Will robotaxis appear in Ukraine in the near future?
For now, this is not about a mass rollout of robotaxis, but rather a demonstration of remote vehicle control technology and a public discussion of the future of autonomous transport.
However, the very fact of such a presentation means that the Ukrainian market is beginning to move in a direction that is already actively developing in the US, China, and Europe.
If businesses, the government, and investors can create the conditions for testing and regulating such technologies, Ukraine could become one of the regional hubs for the development of autonomous transport.
