Dubai is set to revolutionize its transportation landscape with the planned launch of autonomous taxis by the first quarter of 2026.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is progressing rapidly with the deployment of over 60 vehicles for road mapping, data collection, and route scanning, marking a significant step in the city's drive toward autonomous mobility.
The first phase of this ambitious project will focus on deploying the vehicles to assess key routes, with the second phase introducing pilot operations across up to 65 designated zones in Dubai. These zones will be carefully selected based on stringent safety criteria, ensuring alignment with the city’s high road safety standards.
The announcement of this rollout comes after a strategic partnership between RTA and three global leaders in autonomous transport: Uber Technologies, WeRide, and Baidu. The agreements were signed last month, further solidifying Dubai’s position as a leader in the adoption of autonomous technologies.
The project aligns with Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which targets converting 25 percent of all mobility journeys in the city to autonomous vehicles by 2030. As part of the broader vision, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, was briefed on the latest developments, including the potential for autonomous vehicles to enhance road safety. According to Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of the RTA, autonomous vehicles can significantly reduce traffic accidents, which are largely caused by human error.
Sheikh Hamdan was also updated on the RTA’s initiatives to improve traffic flow through smart technologies. The use of drones and artificial intelligence to monitor construction projects has already led to substantial improvements in operational efficiency, reducing the time needed for field surveys by 60 percent and increasing project oversight by 40 percent. The integration of time-lapse imaging technology has further reduced delays by 20 percent, ensuring the timely completion of infrastructure projects across the emirate.
With these developments, Dubai is positioning itself as a global hub for innovative transportation solutions, setting the stage for the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles.
News Source: Khaleej Times
