The Russian technology company Yandex recently formalized its legal presence in the United States through Yandex Self Driving Group Inc., with registration completed in December 2022 in Austin, Texas. This move marked a milestone in the company’s expansion strategy, aligning its autonomous vehicle initiatives with a formal U.S. corporate entity that can operate within American regulatory and commercial frameworks. The registration in Texas reflects a broader effort to establish a legally recognized footprint for its unmanned driving programs, including partnerships and potential commercial deployments in North America.
Originating from a corporate structure that traces back to Delaware, Yandex established its U.S. presence toward the end of 2020. Today the group maintains registrations in three states: Texas, Michigan, and Massachusetts. Each state’s records confirm that these registrations remain active and in good standing. Leadership in Massachusetts and Michigan is helmed by John Boynton, who serves as a non-executive independent director within Yandex. His role underscores the company’s governance approach as it expands its operations across diverse state jurisdictions.
The formal establishment of Yandex Self Driving Group occurred on December 9, 2022, in Texas. As a subsidiary of Yandex NV, the unit focuses on unmanned vehicle technologies, driving research, development, and potential commercialization of autonomous driving systems as part of the broader Yandex portfolio. This organizational arrangement positions the unit to coordinate with parent company objectives while navigating U.S. regulatory and market environments.
Earlier in 2022, X American programs associated with Yandex faced a pause in autonomous road testing in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The pause coincided with broader corporate alignment and safety reviews as the company evaluated testing protocols and vehicle performance in real-world conditions. The situation also included workforce adjustments, with reports indicating that a group of employees involved in unmanned vehicle testing and delivery robotics were affected during this period. This sequence reflects the careful balance technology firms seek between rapid experimentation and adherence to evolving safety and regulatory standards.
Across these developments, Yandex has pursued a strategy that blends research excellence with careful regulatory navigation. The company’s U.S. footprint encompasses multiple states, each with distinct regulatory landscapes, corporate governance requirements, and local market opportunities. The continuation of registrations in Texas, Michigan, and Massachusetts, alongside the Texas-based establishment of the Self Driving Group, suggests a persistent commitment to advancing autonomous vehicle capabilities within North America. Ongoing updates and disclosures from state records, coupled with corporate governance actions, will help stakeholders understand the scope and pace of Yandex’s autonomous driving program as it matures in the U.S. market. [Attribution: TASS; official state filing records]