Bliq receives approval for autonomous vehicles in Finland.

      Bliq.ai has received authorization to operate driverless cars in Finland, marking its second EU market after Estonia. The initial phase takes place in a wintery Helsinki.

      Finland has approved Bliq.ai to deploy its Bliq Driverless vehicles on public roads, effective immediately, making it the second EU nation to grant approval to the startup, following Estonia's decision in May.

      The rollout will commence in Helsinki, although a safety driver will be present for now. Testing is set to begin soon and will continue throughout the Nordic winter, as Bliq aims to demonstrate its system’s effectiveness in one of Europe’s most challenging driving conditions.

      “This approval takes us closer to integrating driverless mobility into daily life throughout Europe,” stated Julian Glaab, the CEO and co-founder of Bliq. Erik Safonov, who currently oversees the company's operations in the Baltics, will lead the launch in Helsinki.

      Bliq is pursuing a different strategy compared to most self-driving companies. Instead of manufacturing its own vehicles, it equips existing software-defined cars with a sensor and computing package to create driverless models.

      Their current system combines AI-based Level 2 driving with remote human oversight, allowing an operator to intervene if needed. This approach enables Bliq to deploy its technology swiftly while maintaining a safety measure.

      Bliq argues that autonomous technology shouldn't be confined to robotaxi fleets; instead, it aims to incorporate this technology into cars that individuals and businesses already use. In Estonia, where it achieved full driverless approval in May, Bliq claims to operate the largest driverless fleet in Europe, which consists of around a dozen vehicles.

      The progression of autonomous technology in Europe has been measured but consistent. Belgium conducted Europe’s first Level 4 highway test, while Baidu’s Apollo Go secured Level 4 approval in Switzerland, and Verne launched a Pony.ai robotaxi service in Zagreb.

      Despite facing previous slowdowns and the increasing regulatory requirements imposed by the EU, approvals for autonomous vehicles are mounting. Bliq’s next objective is to expand into Germany, where it initially started its operations.

      At this stage, the milestone is modest and cautious, with a safety driver still in the vehicle in Helsinki. However, Finland presents a rigorous test for Bliq and adds another EU location to its map.