Dubai starts revolutionary test phase for autonomous driving!

Dubai starts revolutionary test phase for autonomous driving!

Dubai, Vereinigte Arabische Emirate - An exciting age of mobility is imminent: Dubai plans to introduce autonomous vehicles. Today, on July 7, 2025, a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Pony.ai was signed in the desert city, a company that is known for its advanced technology in the field of autonomous vehicles. This pilot project is scheduled to start this year and set the course for a complete rollout self -driving taxis in 2026. Dubai becomes a pioneer in the use of autonomous mobility.

The initiative is part of Dubais Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, the aim of which is to switch 25 % of all urban trips to autonomous solutions by 2030. The further development and testing of this revolutionary technology is supported by the partnership with pony.ai, which, in collaboration with Toyota, GAC and Baic, have developed a seventh generation of model of autonomous vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with highly developed AI systems, sensors, lidars, radars and high-resolution cameras to ensure safe and effective use.

The pilot test as a future model

The details of the upcoming tests are promising. The vehicles should not only bring passengers safely from A to B, they will also help to improve traffic safety and the first and final mile in urban mobility. RTA director Mattar Al Tayer emphasized the importance of this partnership for the innovative strength and the sustainability of the transport in Dubai. This autonomous fleet could fundamentally change the way we think about transportation.

pony.ai, with the support of technology giants such as Tencent and Alibaba, the Robotaxi services will integrate directly into widespread apps such as Wechat and Alipay. This is not only a step towards a seamless user experience, but also shows how mobility is becoming increasingly digital and user -friendly.

public transport and autonomous vehicles

But what does that mean for public transport? According to vdv , modern cities need intelligent solutions to master the challenges of urban mobility. Public means of transport offer the necessary basic systems to meet the population's mobility needs. In this context, the focus is on autonomous shuttles that can act as a flexible addition to existing transport systems. These vehicles are likely to replace conventional cars and the need for parking spaces in the street space, which creates additional space for pedestrians and bicycles.

The integration of autonomous vehicles into the mobility landscape can not only contribute to increasing the quality of life in cities, but also help to equalize the parking situation and traffic. In addition, this opens up new possibilities for environmentally friendly mobility by changing space for ecosystems and green areas.

The step in the direction of autonomous vehicles could thus trigger a trend far beyond the city limits that sets new standards for future mobility systems. The coming months will be exciting and we will be curious to see how these innovative technologies will affect our trips.

For further information and updates on this topic, visit the articles from Economic times and Gulf news .