ELMO Rent, a new generation mobility service provider, successfully passed the Transport Administration’s driving test in city traffic and received official approval to start offering services with a remote-controlled vehicle. 

The first-generation Nissan Leaf electric car equipped with remote control technology passed the driving test. In parallel, the next-generation electric Leaf is also equipped with the technology and Renault Zoe will be the next model. In September, the service will be provided with first five electric cars, and the goal is 20 remotely controlled cars during this year.

‘By now, we have passed an important stage that we began in 2020 in the Pakri Science and Industrial Park, when we took the bold goal of developing remote control technology and bringing it into service. With this achievement, we are pioneers in the world and we are proud that Estonia can set this example for many countries in the world. At this point, I would like to thank the Transport Administration for supporting us in taking such a big step, which will bring significant change to our understanding of managing means of transport,’ emphasised Enn Laansoo Jr., the CEO and founder of ELMO Rent. Remote control has been tested in the world for years, but so far, only very few companies have reached the level of sufficient security and reliability with the development of the technology so that it is possible to navigate roads.

According to Jürgo Vahtra, the Transport Administration’s Land Vehicle Unit Chief, the driving test shows that the remotely controlled vehicle technology developed by ELMO Rent works, and that the remote driver will be able to operate the vehicle safely in traffic.

To date, ELMO Rent has trained two remote drivers and will continue to train new ones. Also, a remote control standard is being developed and the establishment of a remote control centre is being planned.

‘Since Pakri is the greentech companies hub and birthplace of remote control technology, and the town of Paldiski has been a great supporter of the introduction of green technology, it is of symbolic value that a remote-controlled vehicle make its first trips on the streets of Paldiski,’ added Laansoo Jr.

ELMO Rent AS is an Estonian company whose main field of activity is the provision of an environmentally friendly vehicle sharing service and the development, launch, and scaling of related environmentally friendly and innovative technologies, such as vehicle fleet IT operating systems, car controllers, and remotely controlled vehicles.

 

Additional information: 

Enn Laansoo, Jr.

CEO

enn@elmorent.ee