The first fully unmanned “Swallow” on the MCC will launch in 2027

Russian Railways is preparing to launch in 2027 the first fully unmanned train “Swallow” on the Moscow Central Ring (MCC). This was told by the head of the company Oleg Belozerov on the sidelines of the International Festival of Youth in Yekaterinburg.

“We have almost reached a final decision. In 2027, we will launch unmanned passenger traffic at the highest level of UA 4, said Mr. Belozerov (quoted by RIA Novosti). The company was left "literally the final touch" before the train was launched, he said.

Since August 2024, the Lastochka train of the third level of automation (UA 3) has already run along the MCC. This train moves autonomously, but the driver is in the cockpit for control and for opening and closing doors.

According to the Deputy head of the St. Petersburg branch of NIIAS (organization-developer of unmanned trains) Sergey Kudryashov, there will be no driver in the next level of automation. The system itself will drive, brake, open and close the doors. The operator will monitor the operation of the system from the control center and connect in case of emergency situations.