It Will Provide a Convenient, Safe, and Affordable Transportation Option
Dubai is getting ready to launch self-driving taxis on its roads soon. On December 14, 2023, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, went on the first demo ride of the Chevrolet Bolt-based Cruise autonomous vehicle (AV) in Jumeirah 1 area. He shared three short clips of his experience on his Instagram account, showing how the taxi automatically slowed down for a bicycle rider, a speed bump, and a school zone.
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“The testing of Cruise AVs is a crucial step towards enhancing Dubai’s global leadership in implementing self-driving transport. It contributes to Dubai’s Strategy for Smart Self-Driving Transport aimed at converting 25% of all mobility journeys in the emirate to self-driving modes by 2030,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA.
He added “Autonomous vehicles will play a pivotal role in offering innovative solutions for transportation challenges, curbing urban congestion, and elevating road safety. They [AVs] support the RTA’s efforts to leverage the integration between mass transport systems and easing the mobility of public transport riders. It facilitates passengers’ journeys to their final destinations and provides services to many underserved users such as senior residents and People of Determination”.
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The Autonomous Vehicle is a result of a partnership between the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Cruise, a leading US-based autonomous vehicle company that is majority-owned by General Motors (GM). The RTA and Cruise signed an agreement in April 2021 to operate self-driving ride-hail services in Dubai, making it the first city outside the US to commercialize Cruise’s technology. The RTA aims to deploy 4,000 autonomous vehicles by 2030, as part of its strategy to bolster Dubai’s global leadership in self-driving transport and foster the emirate’s aspirations of becoming the world’s smartest city.
The Cruise’s HD mapping technology in the self-driving taxi is used to scan the surrounding environment using sensors, cameras, lidars, and ranging devices. It also has a safety driver behind the wheel to monitor the vehicle and intervene if needed. The RTA and Cruise started data collection and testing of the technology in October 2023, using five AVs in Jumeirah 1 area. The testing and validation process will continue until the self-driving taxi is ready for public use.
The self-driving taxi is expected to offer many benefits for Dubai, such as reducing traffic congestion, lowering the number of traffic accidents, and cutting harmful emissions. It will also provide a convenient, safe, and affordable transportation option for residents and visitors alike. Sheikh Hamdan has always been a powerful influence on Dubai’s innovation and the UAE’s vision to transform itself into a sustainable, smart, and futuristic city.
