Yandex, Russia’s Google Equivalent, Is Building a Self-Driving Shuttle
Yandex, the Google equivalent in Russia, is joining the race to develop self-driving vehicles. In partnership with Russian truck maker Kamaz, NAMI, a government-funded automotive research organization, and Daimler, Yandex is creating a driverless minibus.
Yandex’s expertise in computer vision, AI, and speech recognition will be crucial for the development of the shuttle, while NAMI will provide testing and research facilities. Kamaz, on the other hand, will contribute its manufacturing capabilities to build the vehicle.
The shuttle is expected to seat 12 passengers and have a range of around 200 km (124 miles). It will be tested on closed courses in Russia next year. Passengers will be able to book rides and specify their destination through a smartphone app.
This project is a testament to Yandex’s commitment to innovation and its ambition to become a leader in the autonomous vehicle sector.
