A Berlin-based startup has found a workaround for Europe’s tough autonomous driving rules by deploying its self-driving technology in Estonia, where fully automated vehicles have operated legally since May.
Bliq, founded by former Volkswagen employees Julian Glaab and Törgen Hauschild, builds a roof-mounted system of cameras, sensors, and onboard computers that can control nearly any modern car. The company has already secured permission for fully autonomous operation on Estonian roads, though a human must still sit inside for now.
The technology targets personal use rather than robotaxi fleets. “We are not creating robo-taxis. The technology is more for personal use, a kind of personal driver, but without a driver,” Glaab told reporters. Business customers could also integrate the system into corporate fleets.
Estonia legalized this form of autonomous driving in May, with artificial intelligence models handling vehicle operation. Multiple AI systems communicate and coordinate actions while Bliq employees monitor traffic remotely and intervene when needed.
The startup has tested vehicles at a track near Tallinn, including scenarios involving road construction and broken traffic lights. Glaab acknowledged the engineering challenge: “It took a lot of work to develop the system to make the algorithms quick enough and optimize these processes.” Response times have improved significantly, according to the company.
Erik Safonov leads Bliq’s Estonian operations. Potential customers include Vlad Belopolsky, founder of Tallinn cleaning company Wiseclean, who plans to use autonomous cars to shuttle workers between homes and client sites. “Bliq allows us to grow our business without increasing our assets,” Belopolsky said. The system could also serve families, with Safonov noting a single car could take children to school, a spouse to work, then return home independently.
Bliq expects full driverless authorization within weeks and has begun discussions about bringing its vehicles to German roads.
