UAE speeds ahead with launch of autonomous vehicle services to public

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UAE speeds ahead with launch of autonomous vehicle services to public

2026-01-25 15:51 Last Updated At：01-26 12:45

The future of mobility is speeding ahead in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the launch of fully driverless commercial services to the public, marking a major step forward in the country's quest to transform the future of road transport.

The local government in the UAE's capital Abu Dhabi has granted permission for Chinese autonomous driving brand Apollo Go -- in collaboration with the UAE autonomous mobility company Auto Go -- to first roll out services on the city's Yas Island, a popular tourism destination known for its theme parks, with plans to gradually expand to other parts of Abu Dhabi.

Driverless vehicle developments are also stepping up in Dubai. The city has issued its first autonomous vehicle testing permit to Apollo Go and inaugurated its first integrated autonomous driving operations base, providing a strong foundation for follow-up deployment.

Dubai officials said the project forms part of the city's ambitious Smart City 2030 Strategy, which aims to shift 25 percent of urban travel to autonomous modes by 2030.

As the second-largest economy in the Arab world, the UAE has been accelerating economic diversification in recent years to reduce reliance on oil, with smart transportation emerging as a key pillar of this transformation.

Authorities in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai have introduced a series of strategies to fast-track the adoption of intelligent mobility, offering policy support and favorable conditions for research, development, and the testing of autonomous vehicles.

Industry analysts attribute the UAE's rise as a global hub for autonomous driving deployment to its open regulatory environment and strong capital support for advanced technologies.

"Dubai is in a strong position because it has excellent infrastructure and strong government coordination. The roads are modern, well maintained, and clearly regulated, which is very important for a driverless technology. Government entities like the RTA work closely together. We should expect new policies, but they'll be well thought out, tested and aligned with Dubai's high standards," said Hessa Abdulla Al Nuaimi, a researcher for the UAE's Trends Research and Advisory, an independent research institution.

Beyond new policy initiatives and increased investment, favorable road conditions, advanced communications networks, and high public acceptance of new technologies have also created the right environment for the speedier adoption of autonomous vehicles.

"Dubai has already proven public trust in automation, from the full autonomous metro system to smart government services used daily by residents. In addition, high smart phone penetration, advanced 5G networks, and smart traffic systems provide the digital foundation that autonomous vehicles depend on," said Oleg Savikov, Deputy CEO for Global Business Development at Rewatt Tech, Russia's largest electric vehicle charging equipment manufacturer.

According to data from market research firm WENKH, the global autonomous driving systems market exceeded 30 billion U.S. dollars in 2025 and is projected to expand at a staggering compound annual growth rate of around 56 percent, taking it above 700 billion U.S. dollars by 2032.

IMO members divided over accountability for closure of Hormuz Strait

The 36th extraordinary session of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) concluded on Thursday in London, with member states split over who should be held accountable for the closure of the Hormuz Strait.

As a specialized UN agency, the IMO's responsibility is to safeguard global shipping safety and the rights and interests of seafarers. At the meeting, all parties had obvious differences regarding the root causes of the situation and the wording of the documents.

According to data provided by the IMO, since the outbreak of the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, at least seven seafarers have been killed in attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz area, with several others seriously injured. Around 20,000 seafarers remain stranded aboard ships in the region.

Some countries urged condemning the actions of certain country that led to the blockade, while others believe that the root cause of the current maritime tensions in the Middle East lies in the military action launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, and that unilaterally blaming one country is neither objective nor comprehensive.

Multiple representatives emphasized that the IMO should not serve as a platform for political confrontation. They called for balanced, neutral language in resolutions and urged the organization to focus on pragmatic measures within the framework of IMO regulations to safeguard maritime corridors.

Iran's delegate pointed out that the IMO must not become a tool for political pressure, and any coordination on navigation security must involve Iran.

The Russian delegate warned that current international maritime declarations appear biased and one-sided, which hinders efforts to ease the crisis. He called on the IMO to adopt a more balanced stance.

China's delegate echoed the need for inclusive and impartial language, proposing that the resolutions reflect a constructive consensus rather than unilateral accusations. The Chinese side also suggested that language condemning or opposing military actions that lead to the escalation of tensions in the Strait should be added to proposal.

The IMO Council highlighted the urgent need to address the peril faced by numerous stranded commercial ships. It encouraged exploring frameworks, such as maritime safety corridors, as an emergency humanitarian measure to facilitate the voluntary evacuation of ships from high-risk zones to safer waters.

Regarding the U.S. proposal to provide naval escort operations, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said that naval escorts are not a long-term sustainable solution to the current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, and only an end to the conflict can prevent shipping from becoming collateral damage.

While acknowledging that the root causes of the crisis lie beyond the IMO's mandate, he said he would continue to work with countries engaged in diplomatic efforts to address the situation.

Over the past few days, U.S. President Donald Trump has urged European countries and other allies to join naval escort operations in the Strait of Hormuz. However, European powers have largely rebuffed the request, citing concerns that direct military involvement would escalate regional tensions and risk drawing them into a wider conflict.