Russia plans to put at least 12,000 delivery robots into operation over the next three years to assess their suitability for use. An experimental legal framework for the use of delivery robots has been introduced by a decree drafted by the Russian Ministry of Economic Development. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has signed the decree, according to the ministry’s website.
In the context of the pilot programme, a rover is defined as an autonomous vehicle equipped with an automated control system, which transports goods and provides transport and logistics services. Such vehicles will be permitted to operate on cycle and footpaths, adjacent areas, pavements, and within residential, cycle, and pedestrian zones.
Over the three-year trial period, the plan is to ensure that the rovers cover at least 10.8 million kilometres, to put at least 12,000 robots into service, and to fulfil at least 10.8 million orders. The effectiveness of the trial’s results will be assessed based on mileage, the number of rovers in operation, the number of orders and road traffic accidents resulting from breaches of the programme’s requirements.
The trial will cover 34 constituent entities of the Russian Federation and the Sirius Federal Territory.