Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, the first edition of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week will take place from 10–15 November 2025, spotlighting the emirate’s global leadership in smart and autonomous mobility systems.
Organized by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week underscores the emirate’s commitment to pioneering autonomous technology, while reaffirming its position as a global hub for advanced mobility solutions.
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A strategic step toward the future of mobility
The event aligns with Abu Dhabi’s broader strategic vision to foster an innovation-driven ecosystem. It will convene industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to explore cutting-edge technologies that boost competitiveness, enhance operational efficiency, and support sustainable development — all aimed at improving quality of life in the UAE and beyond.
SASC: Driving policy, innovation, and infrastructure
As the organizing body, SASC plays a critical role in the growth of Abu Dhabi’s autonomous ecosystem. The council is responsible for setting strategic direction, developing policy and regulations, and facilitating public-private collaboration across land, sea, and air domains.
SASC also supports investment attraction, sustainable infrastructure development, and innovation, laying the foundation for a future-ready economy powered by intelligent systems.
Week-long program of innovation and collaboration
Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week 2025 will feature a dynamic lineup of events and activities:
Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit (10 November): This flagship summit will open the week, providing a platform for global dialogue on policy, innovation, and collaboration in sustainable smart mobility. It will spotlight emerging technologies, strategic opportunities, and pathways to implementation across sectors.
DRIFTx Exhibition (10–12 November): A showcase of the latest smart and autonomous mobility innovations across land, sea, air, and robotics. DRIFTx offers industry players a chance to exhibit solutions and engage with stakeholders across the ecosystem.
RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025 (10–15 November): Held for the first time in the MENA region, and organized by Khalifa University, the global robotics competition will bring together leading AI teams to compete in autonomous challenges that push the boundaries of robotics and machine learning.
Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (final event): The week will conclude with the second edition of the pioneering event, showcasing high-performance autonomous racing technology and its potential applications across future mobility sectors.
Advancing global competitiveness and sustainability
By redefining mobility and integrating advanced systems into key industries, the event supports the emirate’s broader goals of efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
The initiative reflects Abu Dhabi’s position at the forefront of smart mobility, supported by world-class infrastructure, progressive legislation, and unwavering government support.
This enables rapid adoption and scalability of cutting-edge solutions across sectors.
A vision for a knowledge-based economy
By embracing autonomous technologies, Abu Dhabi is not only enhancing its global competitiveness but also accelerating the transformation of its R&D ecosystem.
This future-focused approach directly contributes to the UAE’s vision of building a knowledge- and innovation-based economy, ensuring sustainable growth and long-term prosperity for generations to come.
