Russia’s first self-driving metro train travels more than 10 thousand kilometers on Big Circle Line

Russia’s first self-driving metro train is successfully undergoing testing. Software developed by Moscow specialists smoothly accelerates and slows down the train, controls the opening and closing of doors at stations and monitors train intervals. If foreign objects appear on the tracks, the system immediately sends an appropriate signal to the train.

“The innovative train has already traveled more than 10 thousand kilometers without passengers on the Big Circle Line (BCL). By the end of 2026, Russia’s first self-driving metro train will begin operating regularly on the BCL. It will run according to the timetable alongside other trains, without passengers, maintaining the Moscow Metro’s standard intervals of 90 seconds during peak hours. Test runs with passengers will begin in 2027. By 2030, we will launch the first fully self-driving metro line — the BCL — as instructed by Sergei Sobyanin under the transport development strategy,” says Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Moscow Mayor for Transport and Industry.

RFID tags have been installed at all 29 stations of the Big Circle Line, enabling the self-driving train to stop smoothly and independently with an accuracy of 30 centimeters.

A system designed to detect people falling onto the tracks is being tested at Pechatniki station on the BCL. If a passenger approaches the edge of the platform, the system sends a signal to the self-driving train. The automatic train operation system, machine vision and communications with the dispatch center are also being tested while the train is in motion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin officially launched testing of the country’s first self-driving metro train on January 16, 2026.

Sergei Sobyanin outlines key Moscow Metro goals for 2026