Autonomous taxis in Dubai to undergo trials, aiming for a commercial launch in 2026, in partnership with Pony.ai.
In a significant step towards the future of transportation, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a preliminary agreement with Pony.ai, a leading company in autonomous driving technology, for pilot trials of driverless vehicles by the end of 2025. This move signals Dubai's increasing readiness to embrace driverless mobility.
The project, which involves a partnership between the RTA and Pony.ai, aims to commercially roll out autonomous taxis by 2026, aligning with Dubai's goal to have 25% of all trips in self-driving transport modes by 2030. The collaboration supports Dubai's vision to be a global leader in autonomous mobility and enhances the quality of life, improves road safety, and offers greater convenience in daily mobility across Dubai.
Pony.ai's vehicles are equipped with advanced artificial intelligence and a suite of sensors, including lidars, radars, and cameras, to navigate varied weather and road conditions. The vehicles will operate at Level 4 autonomy, meaning they can function without a human driver, though initial trials will include safety drivers.
The RTA has been exploring autonomous transport since 2016, with initiatives like autonomous shuttle trials, autonomous air taxi trials, and a driverless vehicle showcase during Expo 2020. The authority has also worked with Cruise, a subsidiary of General Motors, to explore wider use of autonomous taxis.
Meanwhile, the Emirates Group's dnata is piloting autonomous ground service vehicles at airports, and a local company in the UAE is developing an autonomous hybrid military vehicle. The UAE has accelerated its adoption of self-driving technologies across multiple sectors, including defence.
The signing was attended by senior officials including RTA director general and chairman Mattar Al Tayer and Pony.ai's chief financial officer Dr Leo Wang. The agreement was signed by Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, chief executive of RTA's public transport agency, and Ann Shi, vice president of Pony.ai.
Pony.ai, founded in 2016, has conducted over 25 million kilometres of autonomous driving globally, operating robotaxi services in cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Irvine, California. The company's collaboration with Dubai RTA reflects its global ambitions and commitment to deploying Level 4 autonomous technology in strategic global markets.
Sheikh Mohammed has revealed a new AI strategy for streamlining services, and the RTA's latest agreement with Pony.ai adds to a growing list of partnerships with global tech firms, reinforcing Dubai's position as a leading hub for innovative, efficient, and sustainable transport. The pilot trials are part of a larger initiative aimed at transforming Dubai's transportation system, with a focus on integrating autonomous vehicles into the city's infrastructure. The full commercial rollout is planned for 2026.
For specific fleet details and pilot locations, further announcements or updates from the RTA or Pony.ai may provide more precise information in the future.
- The partnership between Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Pony.ai, a leading autonomous driving technology company, aligns with Dubai's vision to be a global leader in autonomous mobility.
- Pony.ai's autonomous taxis, equipped with advanced AI and sensors, will be tested in Dubai as part of a project aimed at commercially rolling out these vehicles by 2026.
- The UAE, through its Emirates Group's dnata, is also trialing autonomous ground service vehicles at airports, while a local company is developing an autonomous hybrid military vehicle.
- Dubai's increasing readiness to embrace driverless mobility is supported by Sheikh Mohammed's AI strategy, which aims to streamline services and reinforce Dubai's position as a leading hub for sustainable transport.
- The news of the RTA's collaboration with Pony.ai adds to a growing list of partnerships with global tech firms in the UAE, particularly in the fields of business, technology, and transportation.
