Abu Dhabi completes 30,000 autonomous vehicle trips

Abu Dhabi's Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility) has announced the completion of 30,000 autonomous vehicle trips in the emirate, covering over 430,000 km.

Building on successes in Yas and Saadiyat Islands during the project's initial two phases, the service will now expand to include access roads to and from Zayed International Airport as part of a wider rollout across the emirate.

This expansion aligns with Abu Dhabi’s efforts to develop its smart transport sector, partnering with 'Space 42' and 'Uber' to operate autonomous taxis.

Dr. Abdulla Al Ghafli, Acting Director-General of the Integrated Transport Centre, emphasized the strategic importance of this move, highlighting improvements in digital infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and safety standards.

"This includes developing specialised 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," explained Al Ghafli.

He added that these vehicles demonstrate a high level of safety in the city’s transport network, with no incidents reported so far.

Abu Dhabi Mobility aims to have 25 per cent of trips in the city made by autonomous vehicles by 2040, alongside a 15 per cent reduction in carbon emissions and an 18 per cent decrease in road accidents.