Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the aim to launch self-driving taxis by 2023.
RTA has signed an agreement with General Motors-backed Cruise, which will run driverless taxis and shared transport services in Dubai.
Dubai is the first city outside of the United States where the driverless vehicles will be operated.
A limited number of vehicles will be launched in 2023 with an increase of 4,000 self-driving taxis by 2030.
The initiative was made during the Dubai Taxi Corporation’s (DTC) Strategic Plan 2021-2023, in which the plan providing multiple transportation facilities for the public while also integrating artificial intelligence and smart systems to enhance the performance and customers happiness.
By 2023, 5% of the taxi fleet will be converted to autonomous vehicles and a 56% increase will be made for environmentally-friendly vehicles.
His Excellency Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said, “We are determined to deliver a unique experience in the taxi industry worldwide to facilitate the movement of citizens, residents and tourists. We aim to provide mobility services featuring diverse options in terms of the level of comfort and care in modern taxis, be it limo service, airport taxi, ladies taxi, family taxi, etc. Our efforts are focused on meeting customers needs through sustained improvement, stylish services, and diverse service channels, especially smart platforms.”