The initiation of autonomous taxis in Jumeirah 1 has led to great improvement in urban transportation. In a major change in transforming urban mobility, driverless taxi test Dubai started operating on the streets of Jumeirah 1. This is indeed an important milestone in the Smart Mobility strategy of Dubai. According to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), driverless taxis are now being put to the test in the affluent neighborhood along the beach, making their entry into the emirate’s vision for the future of transportation in the UAE even more concrete. The RTA confirmed that the driverless taxi test runs had started in this renowned beachside locality, further consolidating the UAE’s vision for the future of mobility.
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Autonomous Taxis in Dubai
RTA confirms that the automated taxis in Dubai are in the testing phase for now and have no passengers on board. Each test car has a safety driver behind the wheel to observe operations and intervene if necessary. This testing is a significant milestone in the RTA’s wider strategy to form the first autonomous transportation network in MENA, backed by state-of-the-art AI and sensing technology.
Cruise, a General Motors (GM) subsidiary, operates the fully electric and emission-free autonomous taxis known as the Chevrolet Bolt. These self-driving units come equipped with a range of intelligent features such as LiDAR, high-resolution cameras, and radar systems to accurately detect surrounding objects and navigate complex city environments.
Self-Driving Cars in Jumeirah: A Vision for Smart Transport
The trial drives Jumeirah into becoming one of the first areas where self-driving cars are driven in test mode. While this marks the beginning of launch for such vehicles, Khaled Al-Awadhi, Director of Transportation Systems at RTA. Says the trial heralds what will likely be a long-term vision of deploying 4,000 autonomous vehicles into the city by the year 2030. More so, this project complements the overarching Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to switch 25% of mobility journeys in Dubai Smart Mobility of driverless travel over the next seven years.
RTA has confirmed that the test drive is a result of many months of collaborative efforts with Cruise, following successful closed-track testing and data collection. A recent RTA technical team visit to San Francisco-a location. Where Cruise has been operating driverless taxi services since early 2022-was useful in confirming the system’s readiness for Dubai-specific road conditions.
Final Words
While public riders are not included in the autonomous vehicle trials Dubai. RTA has expressed its desire to expand limited access to select persons before the end of this year. By the second half of 2024, Dubai expects the full commercial operation of autonomous taxis, with fare models likely to match limo taxi rates. Which are about 30% higher than standard cab prices. The Future of Transportation UAE is here.
Extending the trial runs of autonomous vehicles in Dubai signifies a greater commitment to sustainable and smart transportation systems. As more and more driverless taxis make their way onto the roads of Jumeirah and beyond, Dubai stands tall as a pioneer in the international marketplace of autonomous mobility. Offering safe, efficient, and futuristic alternatives to the traditional means of urban transport.
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