---
title: "Yandex Autonomous Cars Go for a Drive in the Snow"
description: "Winter driving competence is a prerequisite for autonomous vehicles in Russia."
date: "2017-11-29"
modified: "2017-11-29"
authors:
  - name: "Stephen Edelstein"
    job_title: "Weekend Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/stephen-edelstein"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/tech/16507/yandex-autonomous-cars-go-for-a-drive-in-the-snow"
categories:
  - "Car Tech"
  - "News"
  - "Self-Driving Tech"
tags:
  - "Autonomous Cars"
  - "russia"
  - "self-driving cars"
  - "Tech"
  - "winter"
  - "Yandex"
---

# Yandex Autonomous Cars Go for a Drive in the Snow

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/05/hq720.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com\</em\>*

Russian tech firm Yandex [just took over Uber's ride-sharing operations](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/16411/uber-gets-approval-to-merge-its-russian-operations-with-yandex>) in its home country, but the company isn't stopping there. Like its American counterpart, Yandex has its own self-driving car development program, and it appears to be making progress.

Yandex released a new video of its two [Toyota Prius V](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/16242/toyota-axes-the-prius-v-in-the-u-s>) development mules driving around in snowy conditions. Winter weather is challenging for self-driving cars not only because of reduced traction but because snow can obscure the lane markings autonomous vehicles rely on as a visual cue to orient themselves. Winter capability is particularly important for Yandex, which hopes to [develop an autonomous ride-sharing service](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/10919/russian-tech-giant-yandex-jumping-into-the-self-driving-taxi-fray>) in Russia, a country known for harsh winters.

https://youtube.com/embed/7hUut7Hsgys

The conditions Yandex's self-driving cars negotiate in this video aren't exactly extreme; at times there isn't even any snow on the roads. The cars perform basic functions like avoiding other vehicles and pedestrians and making smooth stops. With so many companies testing self-driving cars, it's more a demonstration of minimal competence than of technological boundaries being pushed.

For self-driving cars [to replace human drivers](<https://www.thedrive.com/self-driving-cars/15724/what-are-these-levels-of-autonomy-anyway>), it goes without saying that they will have to function in all kinds of weather. With most U.S. autonomous-car testing taking place in and around Silicon Valley, winter weather is not something most cars will encounter on a daily basis. But companies are accounting for that.

Ford and General Motors test self-driving cars year round in Michigan and Ford has already conducted dedicated snow testing. Waymo will bring some of its autonomous Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans [to Michigan this winter](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/15477/the-next-challenge-for-waymos-self-driving-cars-is-a-michigan-winter>) for testing as well. To improve the technology, autonomous cars dashing through the snow will have to become a more common sight.

## Author
Stephen has always been passionate about cars, and managed to turn that passion into a career as a freelance automotive journalist. When he's not handling weekend coverage for The Drive, you can find him looking for a new book to read.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/SAEdelstein>)