In 2022, Sber’s autonomous vehicle program logged a remarkable milestone, covering 3.5 million kilometers. This figure represented a threefold increase over the previous year and highlighted the rapid expansion of unmanned transport within the bank’s innovation efforts. The development teams emphasize that progress in driverless technology is a central priority for the company and its broader strategy to modernize mobility services across the country.
Andrey Belevtsev, chief technology officer and senior vice president who leads the technology block at Sberbank, outlined the ambitious path ahead. He noted that the initial trials extended to trucks as well as cars, and he expressed optimism about what lies ahead. Russia’s vast geography makes reliable cargo transportation a strategic focus for Sber, aiming to connect distant regions with advanced automated solutions and improve supply chains nationwide.
The plan also envisions the deployment of compact drones as part of the broader unmanned fleet. Belevtsev indicated that thousands of people have participated in testing activities conducted by SberAvtoTech, the arm responsible for Sber’s unmanned and smart vehicle technologies. The testing includes limited public-road operation where drivers oversee and insure the vehicles during progression into more autonomous modes.
In late 2022, government authorities introduced a new experimental legal regime for unmanned car and truck operations in urban and suburban areas across 38 Russian regions, creating a framework to advance field trials and eventual broader use. These regulatory steps are aimed at balancing innovation with safety and liability considerations as the technology matures ahead of wider commercial rollout.
— Source: Sber press service
Overall, the ongoing development program reflects a strong push to integrate autonomous mobility solutions into Russia’s transportation ecosystem, with parallel efforts in aerial drone applications and ongoing collaboration with public-sector pilots. The initiative underscores Sber’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to improve efficiency, safety, and connectivity across a vast national landscape.