Self-driving taxis set to operate in Dubai by the year 2026 is a major leap forward for the city. This self-driving taxi service is in collaboration with Uber Technologies and China’s Baidu. The taxis will be available to the public for an easier search by just logging in through the already existing Uber platform. The move is believed to bring Dubai closer to becoming a market leader in autonomous mobility.
Advancing Autonomous Mobility With Uber
The project is expected to start between 2023 and 2026 as the Road and Transport Authority hastened their pace in working with AV technology developers. WeRide, Baidu, and Uber set to launch Dubai’s fleet of self-driving taxis through the already established Uber platform, enabling residents, tourists, and individuals currently in Dubai to command a self-driven taxi at the press of a button.
The move will be more efficient in deployment during the given time range. These steps set out by the government will enable the country to achieve their goal of becoming the market leaders in smart technology.
Envisioning 2030: A New Era of Transportation Within Dubai
As part of Self Driving Transport Strategy, Dubai aims to convert 25% of all in-city journeys into autonomous taxi rides by 2030. The city is already renowned for its futuristic infrastructure, and this latest initiative is bound to add to its growing reputation as a global hub for smart mobility.
While unveiling the innovation, RTA’s Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, Mattar Al Tayer, stated the importance of the above mentioned partnerships: “These partnerships represent a crucial step in advancing Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to transform 25% of all journeys in the city into autonomous trips across various transport modes by 2030.”
The plan will enhance the movement of residents and visitors through new eco-friendly designs to guarantee a smooth travel experience.
Improvements of Public Transport Services
The new addition of autonomous taxis will improve the public transport system of Dubai. The introduction of self-driving vehicles integrated into the existing transport network will serve to enhance the ease of access to public transport by improving last mile and first mile connectivity.
Al Tayer elucidated, “Implementing autonomous taxis will improve the first and last-mile connectivity for public transport patrons. This is consistent with RTA’s First and Last-Mile strategy initiated last year, which focuses on assisting passengers moving from or to their terminus either to a public transport station.”
With these changes, passengers will be able to make seamless transitions between various modes of transport, from the metro into a self-driving taxi or from a bus stop near their location to their intended destination. Such enhancements would greatly increase the usability of public transport services.
A noteworthy initiative aimed towards a smarter Dubai.
This is just one of RTA’s strategies to position Dubai as a global leader in autonomous mobility. By 2026, the city will incorporate self-driving taxis into its infrastructure, furthering mobility while advancing the city’s vision as the world’s smartest city and best place to live and work.
Self-driving taxis will further alleviate traffic, reduce emissions, and aid in achieving the city’s sustainability objectives. These advancements will enhance the quality of life for residents, while also garnering global attention, transforming the city into a technological marvel and a leader in sustainable urban planning.
Looking to the Future: A Smart City is Coming
The autonomous taxi will set the stage for the fully integrated self-driving transport system. In the next decade, we expect advances in autonomous vehicles, smart city infrastructure, and other eco-friendly transport solutions to emerge in the city.
With the self-driving taxis, the infrastructure will be set for a new era of urban mobility – an axis of sustainable transport deploying cutting-edge technology globally and locally. Having partnered with leading technological firms, the Dubai government has secured the title of the world’s smartest city in the making.