Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) have started trail operations for the first electric and driverless abra.
The initial trial took place from Al Jaddaf Station to the Festival City Station, on Dubai Creek.
The abra was manufactured at the RTA Al Garhoud Marine Maintenance Centre, has a capacity of eight people and with two electric motors, can operate for seven hours.
Being electric the abra ensures zero carbon emissions, will lower operating and maintenance costs by 30%, and reduces noise levels in comparison to diesel-powered models.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA said, "The operation of the Autonomous Electric Abra is in line with RTA's efforts to achieve Dubai's Strategy for Self-Driving Transport that aims to convert 25% of the total mobility journeys in Dubai into self-driving journeys by 2030. It also contributes to the realisation of Dubai’s master plan to curb carbon emissions of public transport means as per the requirements of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy."