Dubai's first driverless taxis have hit the road in a major step forward for the emirate's autonomous transport strategy. Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority said the public-private partnership was the "first of its kind worldwide".
Two Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles have joined emirate's public transport fleet under a partnership with US firm Cruise. The roll-out of the driverless taxis is part of a long-term vision to make 25 per cent of total trips autonomous across various modes of transport by 2030.
In March, the RTA announced plans to begin testing of driverless taxis as part of the partnership with Cruise, the majority-owned autonomous vehicle subsidiary of General Motors, which would ultimately see 10 vehicle's in operation.
Cruise agreed to launch its first international robotaxi service outside the US in Dubai, in a deal announced by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, on Twitter in April 2021.
The RTA said it would complete rigorous testing before that launch to ensure the taxis are prepared for the hectic driving styles of some motorists in the UAE. It is hoped wider adoption of autonomous vehicles will greatly reduce road accidents. By 2030, it is expected that 4,000 driverless taxis will be in operation in Dubai.
The topic of driverless cars was a key focus of the World Government Summit, held at Expo 2020 Dubai in March, during a session on policies and innovation in the future of movement. As technology develops, so will the regulations required to create a safe and legal environment for all road users.
Jeff Bleich, chief legal officer of Cruise, said Dubai would be the firm’s first international partner to innovate a new cities system and develop the future of smart mobility. Dubai Taxi Corporation's Strategic Plan for 2021 to 2023 set out plans for one in 20 taxis in Dubai will be driverless by next year.
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