Russia: The Cognitive Tram Pilot, an automated driving system with a computer vision, has become one of the participants of a professional competition in St. Petersburg.
The task was to run the route of 400 m performing a regular stop, complying with the speed limit on a particular section, passing a turnout, and responding to traffic lights and unexpected pedestrians.
The driverless tram was operating fully autonomously. According to the Transport Committee of St. Petersburg, the Cognitive Tram Pilot has become the best in terms of speed control and smooth running. The automated driving system has also entered the top five for the overall travel time, the precise stopping at traffic lights, and halting at the marked stop lines.
The unmanned tram at the professional competition in St. Petersburg. Source: @transportniytseh/Telegram
Since 2022, all new trams for St. Petersburg have been equipped with the Cognitive Tram Pilot driver assistance system. That same year it was announced by Denis Minkin, Director of Gorelektrotrans (St. Petersburg electric rail operator) that the city trams would be fully automated over the next ten years.