Self-driving vehicles on Slovak roads will soon move from vision to reality.
The first test cars are expected to take to the roads this spring. Initially, they will operate in Bratislava, with plans to expand to Kosice and the High Tatras.
The project is led by DiusAI, a Slovak tech company founded by the influential Takac family, which has signed a partnership agreement with the Chinese firm WeRide, a pioneer in autonomous driving technology. WeRide will supply its own fleet of vehicles, ranging from Robotaxis and Robovans to Robobuses and Robosweepers, and already operates in Western Europe, including France and Belgium. DiusAI is financing the project.
DiusAI is owned by Andrea Tkacova, sister of businessman Patrik Tkac of the J&T investment group. Tkac sits on the supervisory board and serves as chief executive. Notably, the team also includes Michal Fico, the son of the Prime Minister, Robert Fico.
The project brings together partners from the public sphere, including universities, the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovenska posta, the national postal service, and the Transport Ministry through the Elevate Slovakia initiative.
Shortly before DiusAI and WeRide signed their agreement on 19 March, the government of Robert Fico addressed the issue at its meeting on March 17, following an initiative from the prime minister. Ministers were tasked with reviewing legislation within their portfolios and identifying changes needed to enable autonomous driving in Slovakia. They have until the end of April to report back, when the cabinet aims to approve a bill and submit it to parliament.
Slovakia’s legislation already sets out rules for “automatizovane dorucovacie vozidlo” (automated delivery vehicle), though European legislation is more advanced in this area.
“It is essential that Slovakia does not fall behind in this area and ensures all aspects of the development and deployment of automated vehicles are addressed,” the Prime Minister wrote in a paper submitted to the cabinet in mid-March.
Autonomous driving does not feature in the government’s four-year programme, which only mentions plans to create rules and systems to support the coexistence of aircraft and drones in Slovak airspace. Drones, however, formed only a small part of the materials presented to ministers.
The Prime Minister has also acknowledged the importance of public acceptance of such technologies. (The Slovak Spectator)