Driverless taxis
In Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Cruise, a self-driving technology company, have initiated supervised trials of autonomous vehicles based on Chevrolet Bolts in the Jumeirah 1 area.
The RTA has established a strategic partnership with Cruise to pave the way for the operation of autonomous vehicles, with plans to provide taxi and e-hailing services in Dubai in the coming years.
The recent testing of Cruise’s autonomous technology, conducted with the presence of a safety driver, is a culmination of collaborative work between RTA and Cruise. This milestone comes after the successful collection of data and testing on private closed test tracks.
Additionally, Cruise has been operating a driverless ride-hail service in the USA since February 2022. RTA’s technical team recently experienced Cruise’s services during a trip to San Francisco, reaffirming RTA’s trust in Cruise’s technology.
The trial is a crucial step in achieving RTA’s goals, making MENA’s first autonomous transportation a success, and reinforcing Dubai’s leadership in autonomous technology on a global scale, as it aspires to become the smartest city in the world.
This initiative, which involves investing in smart mobility and advanced technologies, is in line with RTA’s dedication to enhancing the well-being and safety of Dubai’s residents, tourists, and visitors.
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The 2030 goal
These efforts support the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to make 25% of trips autonomous by 2030. Cruise will confirm the safety and performance of Cruise AVs in Dubai and their compatibility with the digital and physical infrastructure in Jumeirah 1.
The team will show how well Cruise’s autonomous technology performs in real traffic situations in Dubai, with safety drivers initially present. RTA issued its first-ever permit for testing Autonomous Vehicles (AV) in Dubai, officially granting Cruise the trial permit.
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