Draft:Elmo teledriving

Elmo is an Estonian deep-tech company specializing in integrating innovative teledriving technology into vehicles. This technology is particularly utilized for electric cars in car-sharing services, crash trucks for highway safety, and trucks for military hazardous situations, as well as supporting the development of self-driving technology. The company operates as a subsidiary of Elmo Rent AS, which has been offering electric car-sharing services in Estonia since 2013..

Overview

Elmo has gained attention for introducing the first road-approved remotely operated cars. This technology allows Elmo Rent's client base of 24,000 customers to have rental cars delivered to their doorsteps without needing a physical driver. Elmo’s remote-driving technology has been approved by the Estonian Transport Administration and is used daily in Tallinn and Tartu since 2022. The technology is versatile and applicable in various sectors, including sustainable mobility and traffic safety.

Technology and Achievements

Elmo's technology has achieved significant milestones in cross-border teledriving. In February 2024, a Nissan Leaf electric car located in Rotterdam, Netherlands, was remotely operated from 2,100 kilometers away in Tallinn, Estonia. This event demonstrated the reliability and practical application of their technology. In December 2023, Elmo remotely operated an electric car located in Tallinn from Vilnius, Lithuania, a distance of 610 kilometers. These achievements highlighted the technology's capability to function effectively over long distances and in varying conditions.

The company's remote-driving technology has been tested on public streets in numerous international cities, including Los Angeles, Paris, Munich, Berlin, Hannover, Hamburg, Helsinki, Vilnius, Zurich, Vienna, Rotterdam, Tallinn, and Tartu. This extensive testing has attracted international interest in licensing the technology. Elmo's technology is also road-legal in Finland and Lithuania.

Funding and Investments

Elmo has received funding from international growth capital funds. In 2023, Elmo Remote raised up to €2.6 million to accelerate technology licensing in foreign markets and develop next-generation remote-controlled cars.

Leadership

The leadership of Elmo includes CEO and founder Enn Laansoo Jr, who is also a co-founder of the PAKRI Science and Industrial Park, and CTO and founder Priit Haljak, a long-time electric vehicle enthusiast and co-founder of the company.

Recognition and Environment

Elmo is recognized as a responsible company with a silver quality stamp. The company's vision is executed within the green ecosystem of PAKRI Smart Industrial City, locating in City of Paldiski.