Dubai Initiates Robotaxi Trials Next Month in a Significant Push for Autonomous Vehicles

28 Sep, 2023

Dubai Initiates Robotaxi Trials Next Month in a Significant Push for Autonomous Vehicles

In a bid to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance road safety, Dubai is gearing up to launch its initial round of robotaxi trials next month. This ambitious move will make Dubai the first Middle Eastern city to introduce autonomous taxis into its transportation landscape.

Five fully autonomous electric taxis, operated by Cruise, a subsidiary of General Motors, will commence test drives along an 8-kilometer (5-mile) route in the upscale Jumeirah district of Dubai. Ahmed Bahrozyan, the CEO of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), confirmed this groundbreaking development.

Dubai's aspiration to embrace driverless taxis positions it as a pioneer in the Middle East. While autonomous taxis are already operational in various cities worldwide, including the United States and China, Cruise's robotaxis will mark the first deployment of such vehicles outside the United States.

Ahmed Bahrozyan discussed the unique challenges Dubai faces, stating, "We are doing our own set of tests and trials in Dubai… every city has its own characteristics. We have weather conditions that are certainly different than the US."

The RTA has ambitious plans to introduce 4,000 self-driving taxis by 2030, augmenting the existing fleet of 12,000 traditional taxis in the city. Although rides in autonomous taxis are expected to be slightly more expensive than conventional taxis, they will remain within the price range of services like Uber.

Cruise has entered into a 15-year contract with the RTA, and once this period concludes, the taxi market may open up to competitors. Bahroyzyan envisions a future where autonomous vehicles dominate Dubai's taxi fleet, especially in its role as a prominent Middle East tourist hub.

It's worth noting that, in California, GM's Cruise robotaxis faced a significant setback a year after their launch due to a series of collisions, underscoring the challenges associated with driverless cars. Bahroyzyan emphasized that safety remains a top priority, stating, "There will be 'zero compromise on safety.'"

Dubai has taken proactive steps to regulate autonomous vehicles, passing a law in April that establishes standards for technical, operational, and safety aspects of self-driving cars. The law also addresses the sale and purchase of autonomous vehicles.

Meanwhile, WeRide, a Chinese autonomous car technology company, initiated robotaxi trials in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, in 2022. In July, WeRide received a license from the UAE to test a wide range of autonomous vehicles, including robobuses and robosweepers, deepening its presence in the region. The company is also collaborating with the Saudi Artificial Intelligence Company to develop a robobus route.

Saudi Arabia's Transport General Authority introduced self-driving buses during the 2023 Hajj season in Mecca, catering to pilgrims and marking another significant step in the Middle East's embrace of autonomous transportation.