Auve Tech launches Europe’s first driverless shuttle service at Tallinn Airport

Estonian technology company Auve Tech has launched Europe’s first driverless commercial shuttle service at Tallinn Airport. Operating in collaboration with Magnetic MRO, an aircraft maintenance firm, the MiCa autonomous shuttles transport workers, tools, and spare parts between hangars located on opposite sides of the airfield.

The MiCa shuttles are Level 4 autonomous electric vehicles designed for last-mile transport in pre-mapped areas. They can carry up to eight passengers and utilize ten cameras and seven laser-based sensors to maintain a 360-degree view of their surroundings.

Achieving fully autonomous operation in an airport environment required years of testing to meet stringent safety regulations. Following extensive data reviews by the airport's safety board, the service transitioned from requiring an on-board safety operator to operating entirely without human intervention. Auve Tech aims to use this model to demonstrate the profitability of driverless transport and eventually expand the service to other airports.