The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai and Cruise, a company specialising in self-driving technology, have initiated the collection of data and testing of their technology.
The road tests kicked off in Jumeirah 1 and involved assessing Dubai’s traffic signals, signage, and drivers’ behaviour, among other factors, using five autonomous vehicles based on the Chevy Bolt.
This effort represents a significant step towards launching self-driving ride-hail services in the emirate.
The RTA aims to reinforce Dubai’s global leadership in self-driving transport and support the city’s goal of becoming the world’s smartest city. Achieving this goal requires investing in smart mobility and applying advanced technologies, which aligns with the RTA’s commitment to improving the well-being and safety of citizens, residents, and visitors.
“Data collection and Testing is a crucial phase in Dubai’s quest for excellence in smart mobility and advanced technology. The work will ensure Cruise’s advanced generalizable AI and autonomous driving systems safely adapt to Dubai traffic conditions,” said Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, RTA.
According to Bahrozyan, this stage of data collection and testing for Dubai’s traffic environment will utilise five Chevy Bolt-based autonomous vehicles that will be deployed in the Jumeirah 1 area.
“The aim is to obtain the best readings and data through onboard lidars, radars and cameras that capture data and images within a 360-degree field of vision.
“The launch of autonomous vehicles will positively impact Dubai’s transportation landscape and well-being. It will facilitate the integration between transportation and communication systems by streamlining the mobility of mass transit users and their arrival to their final destinations,” Bahrozyan said.
The RTA and Cruise have collaborated to launch Dubai’s first autonomous taxi service. The RTA aims to deploy 4,000 autonomous vehicles by 2030, making Dubai the first non-US city to offer Cruise self-driving cars for commercial use. The introduction of autonomous vehicles is expected to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce the number of traffic accidents, and lower harmful emissions.
This partnership between the RTA and Cruise underscores their shared commitment to developing innovative and sustainable urban mobility solutions. It reflects their joint goal of promoting self-driving technology and smart mobility. The expansion of autonomous vehicles will further enhance Dubai’s reputation as a global center for cutting-edge smart mobility technology.
