Dubai’s ambition to become a global leader in smart mobility continues with the announcement of a new robotaxi trial. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with US-based Pony.ai to bring autonomous taxis to the emirate. Supervised trials are expected to begin in the second half of 2025, with fully driverless services anticipated to launch as early as next year.
This partnership adds to the growing list of autonomous vehicle initiatives underway in Dubai. It follows previous agreements with Uber and Chinese firm Baidu, both of which are also expected to test driverless taxi services on the city’s streets.
Pony.ai, which recently completed a successful rollout in Shanghai, is preparing for mass deployment of its seventh-generation robotaxis. These advanced vehicles are developed in collaboration with major automotive manufacturers, including Toyota, GAC Motor, and BAIC Motor.
The fleet is equipped with an advanced sensor suite that enables it to navigate various road conditions and complex environments. Whether it’s fast-paced highways or busy urban areas like Dubai’s business districts, the robotaxis are built to handle a wide range of driving scenarios.
