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Dubai to trial autonomous taxis later in 2025
Dubai’s Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy aims to convert 25 per cent of all trips in Dubai into autonomous journeys across various transport modes by 2030.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in partnership with Pony.ai has held a robotaxi unveiling ceremony in Dubai, validating their partnership to advance L4 autonomous mobility solutions.
Building on the collaboration announced earlier this year, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to integrating cutting-edge self-driving technology into Dubai’s multi-modal transportation framework. The strengthened alliance focuses on enhancing urban mobility efficiency, reducing traffic congestion, and establishing sustainable transportation models aligned with Dubai’s vision to transform 25 per cent of all journeys in the city into autonomous trips by 2030.
Autonomous driving technology
Under the agreement, the collaboration will introduce Pony.ai’s autonomous driving technology through a multi-phase roll-out. Initial supervised robotaxi trials are set to launch in 2025.
“RTA’s continued expansion of partnerships with leading global companies in the field of autonomous mobility marks a key step towards achieving the Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to convert 25 per cent of all trips in Dubai into autonomous journeys across various modes of transport by 2030,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director general of the RTA.
“The operation of autonomous taxis contributes to the integration of transport systems by facilitating the movement of public transport users and improving access to their final destinations in line with the first and last-mile strategy. Operating autonomous taxis will enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors in Dubai, improve road safety, and offer greater convenience in daily mobility across the emirate.”
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Pony.ai chief financial officer Dr Leo Wang said: “The collaboration with Dubai RTA exemplifies our commitment to deploying Level 4 autonomous technology in strategic global markets. By aligning our technological capabilities with RTA’s visionary leadership, we’re establishing foundational standards for intelligent transportation ecosystems across the Mena region.”
Pony.ai reports that 2025 marks a pivotal year as the company started mass production and deployment of its seventh-generation robotaxi technology unveiled in April during Shanghai Auto Show. The latest stack features 100 per cent automotive-grade components with significant cost-efficiency improvement and cross-platform adaptability, and has withstood rigorous testing in extreme temperature fluctuations, including the high-temperature extremes and desert environment, to ensure safe navigation in local conditions.
“Operating autonomous taxis will enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors in Dubai, improve road safety, and offer greater convenience in daily mobility across the emirate”
The company claims it already operates a fleet of approximately 300 robotaxi vehicles in all of the four tier-1 Chinese megacities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen) and its fleet size is on track to reach 1,000 by the end of this year. Its robotaxi services cover high-complexity scenarios such as high-speed rail stations, airports, and densely populated urban commercial areas.
Pony.ai has secured robotaxi permits in four major markets, including the US, China, South Korea, and Luxembourg. The company announced a strategic partnership with global ride-hailing giant Uber in May. It has started on-road testing in the community of Lenningen in Luxembourg by working closely with Emile Weber, the country’s mobility solutions provider. In Asia, Pony.ai is looking to introduce robotaxis in Singapore by starting trials in collaboration with ComfortDelGro, a multi-modal transport operator headquartered in Singapore.
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How will Pony.ai's L4 technology improve Dubai's urban mobility?What safety measures are integrated in Pony.ai's robotaxi system?How does Dubai's strategy plan to reduce traffic congestion with autonomous taxis?What role do autonomous taxis play in Dubai's first and last-mile transport?How is Pony.ai adapting its robotaxis for Dubai's extreme climate conditions?
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