In the evolving landscape of urban mobility, autonomous vehicles are emerging as a key solution to congestion, sustainability, and accessibility challenges. Estonia-based Auve Tech is at the forefront of this shift, developing level-four autonomous shuttles designed to bridge the gap between public transport stations and passengers’ destinations.

In a recent visit to the company’s headquarters in Tallinn, e27 spoke to Taavi Rõivas, ex-prime minister of Estonia and chairman of the board at Auve Tech. He explained how the company is leveraging the latest technology to create safer and more efficient transport solutions.

It began with understanding how the rapid increase in global car ownership poses significant environmental and infrastructural challenges. “Globally, we have 1.5 billion passenger vehicles,” Rõivas noted.

In Europe and the US, there are three cars for every four people, and if the rest of the world were to match this ratio, the total number of vehicles would need to increase to six billion. “Coming from Singapore, you understand very clearly that there is not enough room for the cars in traffic,” he said, highlighting the need for alternative transport solutions.

Public transport remains a fundamental solution, but traditional systems have limitations. “Public transport doesn’t take you where you want to go, but where the city planners have put the stations,” Rõivas explained.

Autonomous shuttles address this last-mile connectivity problem, offering a flexible and efficient way to reach final destinations from bus or train stations.

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Technology and safety first

During our visit to the company’s headquarters, e27 sat in one of the Auve Tech shuttles and experienced riding in a residential area. The vehicle moved smoothly and was able to take turns without any issues.

Auve Tech has prioritised safety in its autonomous vehicle design. Unlike many companies, which adapt existing cars for autonomous use, Auve Tech builds its shuttles from the ground up.

“Building a vehicle to be autonomous allows us to do things that improve safety considerably. We can have doubled braking sensors, double steering controllers—critical infrastructure is at least double from the beginning, which means that the vehicle is a lot safer,” Rõivas said.

The company has achieved level-four autonomy in selected use cases, meaning the shuttles can operate without a safety driver under specific conditions.

“We have already received certification in Japan to drive without a safety operator,” Rõivas stated, although many other countries still require a human operator due to regulatory constraints.

Operating at a maximum speed of 40 km/h, the shuttles are not designed for long-distance travel but for efficient, short-range urban trips. “Technology is capable of driving much faster autonomously, but the faster you go, the higher the risks, and regulators around the world don’t want to take that chance,” he explained.

Auve Tech is actively expanding its footprint beyond Estonia. The company has secured projects in Finland, and its first commercial deal in the Middle East is underway with Masdar City, an innovation hub in Abu Dhabi.

“We just got the license plates in Florida,” Rõivas added, indicating their expansion into the US market.

Additionally, the company has found success in Japan, where the government is keen to adopt autonomous transportation solutions in ageing rural communities. “There are a lot of people aged 90-plus who do not drive themselves, and there just are not enough bus drivers,” he noted.

Singapore has also been on Auve Tech’s radar. “Singapore is one of the first, if not the first, countries in the world that has introduced a strategic plan for implementing autonomous driving,” Rõivas said.

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However, bringing the shuttles to Singapore requires significant preparation. “It probably takes us half a year of preparation. We need to bring at least one vehicle there and test it before we can start commercial operations. So for us, it is a matter of resource allocation.”

As part of its push towards sustainable transport, Auve Tech has also developed the world’s first hydrogen-powered autonomous shuttle.

“Hydrogen is also electric—the engine is still electric, but the electricity is created by hydrogen. We built the prototype three years ago, and it is fully functional,” Rõivas stated.

While electric vehicles remain dominant, hydrogen-powered solutions offer an alternative, particularly for regions seeking cleaner energy sources.

Future prospects

Despite technological advancements, regulations remain a significant barrier to widespread adoption. “The greatest barrier currently is the legal requirement to have a safety operator on board,” Rõivas said.

However, he anticipates that in “probably two years’ time,” more countries will allow fully autonomous operations, as seen in Japan.

Looking ahead, Auve Tech is set to launch a renewed shuttle model with enhanced autonomous capabilities. “This year, our main go-to markets are the Middle East and the US,” Rõivas revealed.

With regulatory landscapes evolving and cities increasingly seeking sustainable transport alternatives, the role of autonomous shuttles in global mobility is poised for rapid growth.

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