Dubai RTA begins testing self-driving taxis: Cruise AV spotted in Jumeirah

Image credit: RTA

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Cruise, an autonomous vehicles (AV) technology company, are carrying out supervised testing of Chevrolet Bolt self-driving taxis in the Jumeirah 1 area.

This testing of the Cruise autonomous technology with a safety driver present is the result of joint efforts between RTA and Cruise following successful data collection efforts and testing on closed test tracks, said the RTA in a statement.

Crusie brings self-driving taxi to Dubai

Separately, Cruise has been running self-driving ride-hail service in the US since February 2022.

During a recent trip to San Francisco, RTA’s technical team took Cruise rides which confirmed the authority’s confidence in the Cruise platform.

Dubai’s #RTA and Cruise, a self-driving technology company, began supervised testing of Chevrolet Bolt-based autonomous vehicles in Jumeirah 1 area. https://t.co/YMZYTYNKp3 pic.twitter.com/aZAKQOq0pL

— RTA (@rta_dubai) October 12, 2023

Dubai’s autonomous vehicle transportation project

The trial is considered a step towards implementing RTA’s strategic objectives of launching MENA’s first autonomous transportation system.

It hopes to elevate Dubai’s autonomous project as a pioneer in the region, enhancing its global leadership in autonomous mobility and fostering its aspirations of becoming among the world’s ‘smartest’ cities.

The team will work on marking the performance of the autonomous technology during the tests and demonstrations showing the maturity of the Cruise vehicles, especially during critical traffic situations in Dubai.

Initial stages of the Dubai road tests of Cruise autonomous vehicles will include a safety driver present behind the wheel, noted RTA.

The tests are being carried after RTA issued the first permit to trial AVs in Dubai.

The trial permit was officially handed-over to Cruise, with whom RTA has a partnership agreement to operate autonomous vehicles to offer self-driving taxi and e-hailing services in Dubai.

Cruise will validate autonomous driving safety and the performance of its platform in Dubai and the compatibility of the AV requirements on the digital and physical infrastructure for the target area of operation in Jumeirah 1, explained RTA.

This testing of the Cruise autonomous technology with a safety driver present is the fruitful result of the joint efforts of RTA and Cruise following successful data collection and testing on closed test tracks.
Separately, Cruise has been running driverless ride-hail service in…

— RTA (@rta_dubai) October 12, 2023

The efforts are in line to achieve the vision set out by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, to convert 25 per cent of the trips to be autonomous by 2030.

RTA said it is committed to implementing the highest standards and provide a comprehensive system to enable autonomous taxis to operate safely in Dubai in the coming years.