RTA inks agreement on self- driving vehicle pilot trials

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pony.ai, a leading company specialising in autonomous driving technologies, to commence pilot trials of autonomous vehicles in the emirate.

- Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The trials are scheduled to begin later this year, paving the way for the launch of a fully driverless commercial service in 2026.

Pony.ai recently unveiled seventh generation of its autonomous vehicles jointly developed with major automotive manufacturers such as Toyota, GAC, and BAIC.

The company's vehicles are equipped with advanced artificial intelligence algorithms, supported by a sophisticated suite of sensors, including lidars, radars, and cameras, to ensure precise navigation and safety across varying road and weather conditions.

The company has also established partnerships with leading technology firms such as Tencent and Alibaba to integrate robotaxi mobility services into platforms like WeChat and Alipay.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, and Dr. Leo Wang, Chief Financial Officer of Pony.ai, attended the signing ceremony of the MoU between RTA and Pony.ai.