Dubai has opened a dedicated facility to test and certify autonomous and future mobility technologies, giving developers a single place to prove their systems before they reach the emirate's roads.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), working with the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), inaugurated Dubai Mobility Labs at Dubai Silicon Oasis.
The facility offers 248 testing scenarios across controlled environments and public roads that extend to Al Qudra. It also includes operational facilities and electric-vehicle charging infrastructure to support developers throughout the testing process.
The labs have already hosted trials of autonomous-driving technologies and vehicles from global companies including WeRide, Pony.ai and Tesla.
RTA has appointed DEKRA to operate Dubai Mobility Labs for its first three years. The company will manage testing and facilities while making sure operations meet international safety standards and practices.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said the facility is strategic infrastructure supporting the Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy. The strategy aims to convert 25 percent of all mobility journeys in the emirate into autonomous trips by 2030.
Al Tayer added that the labs will strengthen Dubai's position as a global centre for testing advanced mobility systems. He said they should also attract investment, specialised talent and technology developers.
Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ, said the project supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 by strengthening a competitive economy built on knowledge and innovation. He noted that Dubai Silicon Oasis offers an integrated environment for developing and testing advanced technologies and helping them move from trials to commercial deployment.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
