H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, opens Dubai World Self-Driving Transport Exhibition. The event hosts 55 prime exhibitors displaying innovations in self-driving vehicles and buses, robotics, AI, and smart and sustainable mobility.
Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) reports that His Highnesses had been informed about the recent news of the opening of the self-driving taxi service, in which three of the five major companies in the world have started pilot programmes of over 60 self-driving cabs in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim. It is planned to roll out the service in 2026 as a driverless one on a commercial basis.
His Highness Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum said, “Dubai continues to strengthen its status as a global hub for innovation and future-driven technologies. Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, we are working to make Dubai the world’s most future-ready city, the best place to live, and the fastest in adopting innovations that enhance quality of life.”
He further adds, “The Self-Driving Transport Strategy is a key part of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which seeks to double the size of the emirate’s economy and consolidate its global leadership across sectors. We have adopted an integrated approach that prioritises research and development, attracts investment, and embraces cutting-edge technologies to ensure Dubai remains at the forefront of global transformations, especially in the digital economy and emerging technology sectors such as artificial intelligence.”
“Our goal is to present the world with a model for autonomous mobility, reinforcing Dubai’s status as a pioneer in sustainability and a living laboratory for the future,” he states.
The exhibition is being hosted as a part of the Dubai World Congress and Challenge of Self-Driving Transport, and it has over 3,000 visitors representing the world and more than 80 speakers, including the top officials, researchers, experts, and developers of advanced self-driving technologies.
Their Highnesses were informed in the briefing on the recent changes when three most significant international firms, Baidu Apollo Go, WeRide, and Pony.ai, started pilot operation of over 60 self-driving taxis in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim. The service is expected to go commercial and driverless in 2026.
His Excellency, Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors in the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, has briefed their Highnesses about the unified visual identity to be used on all self-driving cars owned by companies in Dubai under the name of Dubai Future Ride.
These automobiles will provide the customers with an unparalleled experience with interactive entertainment screens that operate on artificial intelligence.
They were also informed about the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy 2025-2040, which will increase the share of autonomous transport trips used in Dubai today, 20.4 percent to 25 percent by 2030 and 36 percent by 2040.
