Progressive legislation and smart tech allow for advanced automation

Transport automation has advanced and is advancing at a significant pace. Road transport and shipping are witnessing the fastest development leaps. The definition of traffic is undergoing a transformation meaning that vehicles are evolving into a new type of mobile devices.

Advancements in information and communications technology, artificial intelligence and sensor capabilities have opened new opportunities to address the problems faced in the transport system. Automation and improved connectivity enabled by 5G technology could lead to cost savings, improved safety, less congestion and fewer emissions. Automation has significant potential to improve safety on roads and in waterways, as it already has in aviation. In logistics, automation will improve efficiency.

Finland is one of the world’s leading countries in transport information technologies. Our technology companies possess considerable expertise in the automation of all modes of transport, especially concerning smart technologies for transport, data utilisation, artificial intelligence and information security issues. Finnish proficiency in marine automation and ship building is globally recognised as well. We are also well known for the close and frequent cooperation between transport authorities and companies in the field.

Finland has some of the world’s most progressive laws for testing autonomous vehicles, which enables automation pilots of different kinds. Road vehicle testing has been done on Finnish public roads since 2016, while the first package delivery by a drone in Finland took place in 2015, and since then pilot projects have expanded into first commercial operations. Vessel automation has also advanced in leaps and bounds, and the first automated and remote-controlled ferry completed a trip in the Turku archipelago in 2018.