driverless

Uklon and Elmo bring driverless mobility to Ukraine

Uklon, one of Ukraine’s leading ride-hailing and mobility platforms, has partnered with European remote driving pioneer Elmo to begin real-world pilot operations using next-generation remote driving technology for future driverless mobility services in Ukraine.

The initiative combines Uklon’s mobility ecosystem with Elmo’s road-legal remote driving technology, positioning Ukraine among the first real-world operational environments in the region exploring human-supervised driverless transportation services. The first phase of the project is taking place in partnership with Boryspil International Airport, where operational infrastructure and varying network conditions provide a real-world environment for validating remote driving operations.

“Global transportation is moving rapidly toward remote and autonomous mobility systems. Even during challenging times, Ukraine has the opportunity to remain among global technological leaders,” said Serhii Hryshkov, CEO of Uklon. “Together with technology partners and public institutions, we are building the foundation for future mobility services.”

The partnership also includes cooperation with Niko Autoalliance, an official Nissan dealership and authorized brand representative in Ukraine. The collaboration strengthens the connection between future mobility technologies and the official automotive ecosystem while reinforcing a shared commitment to quality, reliability, and professional standards.

Unlike fully autonomous vehicle systems, Elmo’s technology keeps a human remote driver in control of the vehicle in real time using cameras, onboard computing, and public communication networks including 4G/5G and satellite connectivity.

This approach enables practical deployment today while also serving as a bridge toward future autonomous mobility systems, as the technology can be integrated into existing vehicle platforms without requiring fully autonomous infrastructure.

Elmo is internationally recognized as the first company in the world to commercialize road-legal remote driving services on public roads. Since 2022, Elmo technology has operated on public roads while demonstrating long-distance, cross-border, and high-speed remote driving over live telecommunications networks in multiple international markets.

“Remote driving is becoming a practical path toward future transportation systems,” said Tuuli Tolmats-Aia, Co-Founder of Elmo. “The question is no longer whether vehicles can be driven remotely — it is how quickly mobility ecosystems and regulations adapt to unlock their full potential.”

The technology also creates new opportunities for inclusive mobility. Among the participants involved in the pilot operations are drivers and a war veteran using a wheelchair. Remote driving technology allows people with lower-limb amputations and mobility limitations to remotely operate vehicles using adapted controls.

The initiative has also received attention from Ukrainian public institutions as part of the country’s broader digital transformation and future mobility ambitions. During the first presentation of the remote driving technology at Boryspil International Airport on May 27, the event was attended by representatives of state and local government, including Oleksandr Borniakov, Acting Minister of Digital Transformation, Oleksandr Tsybort, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformations and Digitalization, and Kostyantyn Usov, Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration for the exercise of self-government powers and representatives of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Community Development and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

“The testing and adaptation of autonomous vehicles is the next practical step in implementing the Digital Development Strategy of Innovations of Ukraine until 2030 WINWIN. The development of such solutions is critically important for the country’s technological sovereignty and economic development. We are glad to cooperate with private business and welcome companies that are ready to test and scale innovative technologies together with us,” — Oleksandr Borniakov, Acting Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.

In addition to piloting operations, the project includes collaboration with public institutions, business communities, and universities to support future development of regulatory frameworks and next-generation mobility services in Ukraine.

As global mobility leaders increasingly invest in remote driving technologies and alternatives to full autonomy, partnerships like Uklon and Elmo demonstrate that human-supervised driverless transportation is no longer experimental, but an emerging operational reality. 

About Uklon

Uklon is one of Ukraine’s leading technology-driven mobility platforms, providing ride-hailing and transportation services while investing in future mobility and digital innovation.

Founded in Kyiv in 2010, Uklon started as a ride-hailing platform and has evolved into a multi-service digital ecosystem integrating ride-hailing, Uklon Delivery, Uklon Ads, and the Uklon Travel bus ticket booking service. As of April 2026, the Uklon service is available in 27 cities across Ukraine and at the Bukovel tourist complex. The company also operates in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

In April 2025, Uklon was acquired by JSC Kyivstar, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyivstar Group Ltd. (Nasdaq: KYIV; KYIVW), whose shares traded on the U.S. stock exchange Nasdaq and which is a part of the VEON Group.

About Elmo

Elmo is a European mobility technology company and the first company in the world to commercialize in 2022 road-legal remote driving on public roads. The company develops remote driving solutions for mobility, logistics, and other applications using 4G/5G, satellite, and radiolink connectivity. Elmo technology has been deployed across Europe and demonstrated internationally in North America and the Middle East.

Uklon launches remote driving pilot with Elmo at Boryspil Airport

Uklon has launched the first development and pilot testing of remote driving technology in Ukraine, which serves as a bridge for deploying Autonomous Vehicles (AV) technology, including robotaxi. The project is being implemented in partnership with Boryspil International Airport, where a testing platform has been created.

The goal of the initiative is to test the technology, learn the key aspects of remote-controlled vehicles’ operation under various network conditions, and initiate the development of the necessary regulatory framework for the launch of autonomous vehicles (AV) and robotaxi in Ukraine.

“The global world is rapidly moving towards remote and autonomous mobility and transport systems. It is very important for us that, despite all the challenges of the war, Ukraine does not lose momentum and remains among the technological leaders. Together with the state, we are ready to jointly form the AV development roadmap and create prerequisites for the implementation of innovations that will change the future of Ukrainian mobility,” – notes Serhii Hryshkov, CEO of Uklon.

Remote driving technology is a mandatory element serving as a “bridge” to full autonomy, which will allow for increased transportation safety, optimized logistics, and the development of inclusive mobility services in the future. The first phase of the pilot testing is focused on testing remotely controlled vehicles in real-world conditions. Using specialized software,  cameras, lidar, and wireless communication networks, the technology allows a driver to remotely operate a vehicle via a special station in real-time. The technology provider for this project is Elmo, an Estonian company whose technology is certified since 2022 in Europe.

Oleksandr Komarov, CEO of Kyivstar: “Ensuring a stable connection with minimal delay is the foundation for the operation of remote transport. As part of the VEON DO1440 group strategy, we are developing a digital ecosystem where communication technologies become the basis for new services. This project confirms that the synergy of the telecom and IT sector within the Kyivstar group of companies, which includes Uklon, creates unique solutions and opens new opportunities for the country“.

The Uklon service drivers are involved in technology testing as well as a war veteran who uses a wheelchair. Remote driving technology also opens up additional opportunities for people with lower limb amputations, as it allows for remote vehicle operation using manual controls.

“Even with the airspace closed, Boryspil Airport continues to support projects related to the future of mobility, digital infrastructure, and new transport technologies. We are convinced that after flights resume, the competitiveness of modern airports will be determined not only by infrastructure but also by the ability to integrate innovative solutions and technological partnerships,” – comments Oleksii Dubrevskyi, General Director of Boryspil Airport.

The first presentation of the remote driving technology took place today, on May 27, for state and local government representatives, as well as the media. Specifically, the event was attended by Oleksandr Bornyakov, Acting Minister of Digital Transformation, Oleksandr Tsybort, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformations and Digitalization, Kostyantyn Usov, Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration for the Exercise of Local Government Powers, and representatives of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Community Development and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

“The testing and adaptation of autonomous vehicles is the next practical step in implementing the Digital Development Strategy of Innovations of Ukraine until 2030 WINWIN. The development of such solutions is critically important for the country’s technological sovereignty and economic development. We are glad to cooperate with private business and welcome companies that are ready to test and scale innovative technologies together with us,” — Oleksandr Borniakov, Acting Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.

The project also includes planned presentations for business communities with the Diia.City United, as well as an open workshop and test drives for students of technological higher education institutions.

Press release: https://uklon.com.ua/en/news/uklon-launches-remote-driving-technology-testing-at-boryspil-airport/

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