Abu Dhabi Mobility has expanded its autonomous vehicle service trips to include the access roads to and from Zayed International Airport. This expansion is part of its plan for the gradual rollout of services in new areas across the emirate and builds on the success of the project in Yas and Saadiyat Islands during the first and second phases.
This expansion is part of Abu Dhabi’s efforts to develop the smart transport sector by promoting the use of advanced technologies in sustainable mobility. In line with its active role in expanding innovative transport services, Abu Dhabi Mobility partnered with Space 42 and Uber to operate autonomous taxis in the city, with a plan for gradual expansion into new areas across Abu Dhabi.
“This expansion marks a strategic step towards developing Abu Dhabi’s smart transport ecosystem. We continue to enhance the digital and regulatory infrastructure to ensure the seamless integration of autonomous vehicles into the existing transport network, adhering to the highest standards of safety and efficiency,” stated Dr. Abdulla Al Ghafli, acting director-general of the Integrated Transport Center.
30,000 autonomous vehicle service trips completed
The expansion to Zayed International Airport comes after Abu Dhabi Mobility announced the completion of approximately 30,000 autonomous vehicle service trips in Abu Dhabi, covering a distance of more than 430,000 kilometres.
“Abu Dhabi Mobility has established a comprehensive framework to regulate the autonomous vehicle sector, which includes developing specialized insurance models, enhancing digital infrastructure, and securing communication networks against cyber threats. We are also working on advancing legislative frameworks for licensing and regulating the operation of these vehicles, ensuring their compliance with the highest standards of safety and operational efficiency,” added Al Ghafli.
Through its current plan to develop the autonomous mobility sector, Abu Dhabi Mobility aims to achieve several key objectives by 2040, including increasing the percentage of trips using autonomous vehicles to 25 percent of total trips in Abu Dhabi, reducing carbon emissions by 15 percent, and decreasing road accidents by 18 percent.
Enhancing operational efficiency with AI
This smart mobility project is part of Abu Dhabi Mobility’s efforts to develop a sustainable transport system that aligns with the latest global advancements. It also represents a pioneering initiative in the integration of AI into the transport network to enhance operational efficiency.
The center is actively testing autonomous vehicles in collaboration with its partners while overseeing operational processes to ensure full compliance with traffic laws and regulations. Additionally, it seeks to increase public awareness of these services and encourage their adoption. Since their launch, no incidents have been recorded, reflecting the high level of safety these autonomous vehicles provide in an urban transport setting.
Furthermore, Abu Dhabi Mobility reaffirms its commitment to developing future transport solutions, reinforcing the emirate’s position as a global hub for innovation in smart mobility and leading the adoption of autonomous transport solutions in line with international best practices.
