Tallinn Airport, Estonia

Tallinn Airport Deploys Telemonitored Autonomous Shuttle for Aviation Operations
Deployed:
Route:
9 km (5.6 miles)

Project Overview

The Tallinn Airport deployment represents the evolution of Auve Tech's autonomous mobility vision from research and testing into practical operational service. Beginning with the Iseauto pilot program in 2023, the project accumulated years of real-world data and operational experience before transitioning to MiCa as a fully operational mobility solution.

Today, MiCa operates a 9-kilometer round-trip route connecting key Magnetic MRO facilities and supporting daily airport operations. More importantly, the project demonstrates how telemonitored autonomous transportation can provide reliable, scalable mobility services without requiring a dedicated driver in every vehicle.

As airports around the world face increasing operational complexity and workforce shortages, Tallinn Airport serves as a blueprint for the future of autonomous airport transportation

Environment

Airports are among the most complex environments for autonomous vehicle deployment. Every movement must meet strict safety requirements while operating alongside critical infrastructure, maintenance operations, service vehicles, and aircraft activity.

The operating environment includes:

  • Restricted airport operational areas.
  • Proximity to aircraft and aviation infrastructure.
  • Strict safety and compliance requirements.
  • Transportation of airport personnel and equipment.
  • Continuous daily operations.
  • Dynamic operational conditions and changing priorities.

Unlike traditional public road deployments, the airport environment demands precision, predictability, and reliability at every stage of operation.

Goals & Solution

Goals

The project was designed to:

  • Improve internal transportation efficiency across airport operations.
  • Reduce reliance on manual transport tasks.
  • Address growing workforce shortages in logistics and transport roles.
  • Demonstrate the viability of autonomous transportation in aviation environments.
  • Validate telemonitoring as an alternative to onboard safety operators.
  • Create a scalable model for future airport deployments worldwide.

Solution

Auve Tech deployed MiCa as an autonomous mobility solution supported by advanced remote monitoring capabilities.

The deployment includes:

  • A fully electric MiCa autonomous shuttle.
  • A 9 km round-trip route connecting Magnetic MRO facilities.
  • Seven-day-a-week operation.
  • Advanced lidar and camera perception systems.
  • Auve Stack 2.0 autonomous driving software.
  • Teleoperation-ready architecture.
  • Remote supervision capabilities supporting future operator-free service.

Rather than simply replacing a vehicle, the solution modernizes internal transportation workflows and enables more efficient resource allocation throughout airport operations.

Execution Stages

1. Initial Airport Testing

Auve Tech began operations at Tallinn Airport in January 2023 using its first-generation autonomous vehicle, Iseauto. The objective was to understand operational requirements and validate autonomy within airport conditions.

2. Data Collection and Validation

Over nearly three years, continuous testing provided valuable insights into airport infrastructure, operational procedures, safety requirements, and vehicle performance.

3. Development of Next-Generation Capability

Lessons learned from airport operations directly informed the development of MiCa and Auve Stack 2.0, improving perception, navigation, robustness, and operational reliability.

4. Operational Route Deployment

A dedicated route was established to connect Magnetic MRO facilities and support daily transportation needs within the airport environment.

5. Launch of Daily Service

On January 12, 2026, MiCa officially entered operational service, transitioning from testing into a practical transportation solution supporting airport logistics.

6. Transition Toward Telemonitored Operations

The current deployment forms the foundation for future removal of onboard safety operators, demonstrating a pathway toward fully telemonitored autonomous mobility.

Challenges & Outcomes

Operating in a High-Safety Environment

Airport operations demand exceptional reliability and compliance due to proximity to aircraft, personnel, and mission-critical infrastructure.

Workforce Availability

Internal transportation and logistics roles are increasingly affected by labor shortages, creating pressure on operational efficiency.

Scaling Beyond Pilot Projects

Many autonomous vehicle programs never move beyond testing. The challenge was to create a service capable of delivering value every day.

Transitioning to Remote Supervision

Moving from onboard operators to telemonitoring requires robust autonomous systems, advanced connectivity, and carefully designed operational procedures.

Outcomes

Successful Transition from Pilot to Daily Operations

The project moved beyond experimentation and became a fully operational transportation service supporting real business needs.

Increased Operational Efficiency

Personnel and equipment can be transported more efficiently between facilities, reducing manual coordination and improving workflow visibility.

Reduced Dependency on Human Resources

Autonomous transportation helps alleviate staffing pressures while allowing employees to focus on higher-value tasks.

Proven Telemonitoring Readiness

The deployment demonstrates that autonomous transportation can safely operate with remote supervision, paving the way for future operator-free services.

Global Reference Case for Airport Mobility

Tallinn Airport now serves as an internationally significant example of autonomous transportation in aviation, providing a model for airports seeking smarter mobility solutions.

Why Telemonitoring Matters

One of the most important innovations of this deployment is not the vehicle itself, but the shift from onboard supervision to remote monitoring.

Traditional autonomous vehicle deployments often require a safety operator seated inside the vehicle. While effective for testing, this model limits scalability because every vehicle still requires dedicated personnel.

MiCa's teleoperation-ready architecture changes that equation.

With remote monitoring:

  • Operators can supervise vehicles from a centralized control center.
  • Personnel are deployed more efficiently across multiple vehicles.
  • Operational costs can be reduced.
  • Fleet scalability becomes significantly easier.
  • Human expertise remains available whenever intervention or support is needed.

This approach represents the next step in autonomous mobility, moving from assisted autonomy toward truly scalable driverless transportation systems.

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