logo
Uber and WeRide team up with RTA to bring driverless vehicles to Dubai's roads

Uber and WeRide team up with RTA to bring driverless vehicles to Dubai's roads

The National02-04-2025
Future
Technology
New pilot programmes will be launched in the emirate
Alvin R Cabral
April 02, 2025
Ride-hailing companies Uber Technologies and WeRide have teamed up with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority to bring autonomous vehicles to the emirate's roads.
San Francisco-based Uber and the RTA will launch pilot programmes, explore data insight, and ensure safety protocols and regulatory frameworks, Uber and WeRide said in a joint statement on Wednesday.
WeRide, based in Guangzhou, China, became the first AV provider to secure a national licence from the UAE for self-driving vehicles on public roads, in July 2023. The company joined forces with Uber to launch a commercial driverless mobility service in Abu Dhabi in December.
Further details, including target dates for AV introduction in Dubai, will be announced at a later date, the statement said.
'This partnership ... represents a crucial step in advancing Dubai's Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to transform 25 per cent of all journeys in the city into autonomous trips across various transport modes by 2030," said Mattar Al Tayer, director general and board chairman of the RTA.
More to follow ...
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dubai International Chamber records 138% registration increase in H1
Dubai International Chamber records 138% registration increase in H1

ARN News Center

time2 hours ago

  • ARN News Center

Dubai International Chamber records 138% registration increase in H1

Dubai International Chamber has recorded a 138 per cent increase in companies under its jurisdiction in the first half of 2025, attracting a total of 143 companies. The increase included 31 multinational companies (MNCs), marking a 138 per cent increase over the 13 attracted in H1 2024. Meanwhile, 112 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) joined the Chamber during H1 2025, compared to the 47 attracted during the same period last year. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai International Chamber, stated, 'We are making strong and steady progress in consolidating Dubai's position as the global destination of choice for foreign direct investment and a launchpad for companies targeting international growth. This momentum is fuelled by Dubai's unique competitive advantages, which include world-class infrastructure, a pro-business regulatory environment, and a strategic location connecting global markets.' He added, 'Dubai International Chamber's global network of representative offices plays a major role in attracting entrepreneurs, investors, and multinational companies. Our offices contribute to strengthening trade and investment ties with priority markets while fostering business partnerships between Dubai-based companies and their counterparts across the globe.' During the first half of 2025, Dubai International Chamber continued to advance the objectives of the Dubai Global initiative, which seeks to establish 50 international representative offices by 2030. The chamber's growing global network plays a central role in positioning Dubai as a leading international business hub, attracting foreign direct investment, and supporting the global expansion of Dubai-based companies into 30 priority markets. As part of these efforts, the chamber expanded its international presence with the opening of five new offices in Dhaka (Bangladesh), Cape Town (South Africa), Bengaluru (India), Bangkok (Thailand), and Toronto (Canada). During the first half of this year, the Chamber's representative offices organised 247 business roundtables to promote Dubai as a global business hub, attract foreign direct investments, and introduce Dubai as a launchpad for expansion into global markets. This international network serves as a strategic platform linking Dubai with global business communities. It facilitates two-way investment flows, unlocks new channels for bilateral trade, and helps companies in each market tap into the opportunities Dubai offers as a gateway to the world. The chamber's offices also play a vital role in promoting Dubai's competitive advantages as a destination for business growth and expansion. They deliver actionable market intelligence and provide tailored support for international companies seeking to establish a presence in the emirate and scale into high-potential global markets.

UAE: Flying taxi services closer as Archer, Joby complete first and longest piloted flights
UAE: Flying taxi services closer as Archer, Joby complete first and longest piloted flights

Khaleej Times

time2 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

UAE: Flying taxi services closer as Archer, Joby complete first and longest piloted flights

Flying taxi services in the UAE have moved a step closer to reality, as Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation successfully completed their first and longest piloted flights. Joby Aviation signed a definitive agreement with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in February 2024 to launch air taxi services in Dubai by 2026. Meanwhile, Archer Aviation has partnered with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to introduce flying taxi services in Abu Dhabi. Both companies are expected to roll out their services later this year or next year. On Monday, Archer announced that its Midnight aircraft successfully completed its longest piloted flight to date, covering approximately 55 miles in 31 minutes at speeds exceeding 126mph. The flight took place at Archer's flight test facility in Salinas, California. Test flights in the preceding week reached speeds of nearly 150mph over a variety of patterns. This latest achievement advances toward certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US and near-term commercialisation in the UAE. 'Crossing the 50-mile mark at speed is another clear step toward commercialisation that shows the maturity of our programme,' said Adam Goldstein, Archer's founder and CEO. Midnight flight test pilots will continue to expand speed and duration, and test mission profiles that map to early commercial operations in the UAE. US-based Archer Aviation last week said it would expand on its in-country operations in the UAE, including pilot training, maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) setup and flight testing to gather additional data for certification and commercialisation plans in the UAE and the US over the coming quarters. Joby's successful piloted flight Meanwhile, Joby Aviation said it successfully completed its first piloted flight between two US airports in controlled airspace. Set to launch its commercial flying taxi service in Dubai in the first half of 2026, Joby's piloted flight lasted approximately 12 minutes over 10 nautical miles. It included five minutes in a holding pattern for air traffic spacing, reflecting the progress the electric air taxi firm is making toward securing approval from the US regulator to launch commercial service. In February 2024, Joby Aviation signed a definitive agreement with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch air taxi services in 2026. RTA and Joby also partnered with Skyports for the construction of vertiports. Joby's piloted flight follows a previous successful test flight at its facility at the Dubai Jetman Helipad in Margham, along the Dubai–Al Ain Road, in June 2025. The aircraft completed several loops over the facility and surrounding desert. The US company operated the flight in airspace controlled by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), between Marina (OAR) and Monterey (MRY) airports in California. 'Successfully flying from Marina to Monterey showcased operations of our aircraft integrated into the broader transportation network and further validated its performance to ensure we're prepared for service on day one,' said Didier Papadopoulos, president of aircraft development and manufacturing at Joby. 'For years, our flight testing has validated our aircraft's capabilities, and we've done this across a wide range of environmental conditions.' Joby recently began the final assembly of its first aircraft for Type Inspection Authorisation (TIA) flight testing – one of the last major steps in FAA certification. The company plans to begin flight testing with FAA pilots early next year. Following certification, Joby aims to launch commercial service in the US, starting in Los Angeles and New York City.

Dubai International Chamber attracts 31 MNCs to Dubai during H1 2025, achieving year-over-year growth of 138
Dubai International Chamber attracts 31 MNCs to Dubai during H1 2025, achieving year-over-year growth of 138

Web Release

time4 hours ago

  • Web Release

Dubai International Chamber attracts 31 MNCs to Dubai during H1 2025, achieving year-over-year growth of 138

Dubai International Chamber, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, has announced its key achievements for the first half of 2025. The impressive results reflect the chamber's growing contributions to attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and reinforcing Dubai's position as a leading global investment destination. Dubai International Chamber successfully attracted 143 companies to Dubai during H1 2025, representing a 138% increase compared to the 60 companies attracted in H1 2024. These included 31 multinational companies (MNCs), marking a 138% increase over the 13 attracted in H1 2024. Meanwhile, 112 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were attracted during H1 2025, representing YoY growth of 138% compared to the 47 attracted during the same period last year. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai International Chamber, stated: 'We are making strong and steady progress in consolidating Dubai's position as the global destination of choice for foreign direct investment and a launchpad for companies targeting international growth. This momentum is fuelled by Dubai's unique competitive advantages, which include world-class infrastructure, a pro-business regulatory environment, and a strategic location connecting global markets.' He added: 'Dubai International Chamber's global network of representative offices plays a major role in attracting entrepreneurs, investors, and multinational companies. Our offices contribute to strengthening trade and investment ties with priority markets while fostering business partnerships between Dubai-based companies and their counterparts across the globe.' During the first half of 2025, Dubai International Chamber continued to advance the objectives of the Dubai Global initiative, which seeks to establish 50 international representative offices by 2030. The chamber's growing global network plays a central role in positioning Dubai as a leading international business hub, attracting foreign direct investment, and supporting the global expansion of Dubai-based companies into 30 priority markets. As part of these efforts, the chamber expanded its international presence with the opening of five new offices in Dhaka (Bangladesh), Cape Town (South Africa), Bengaluru (India), Bangkok (Thailand), and Toronto (Canada). During the first half of this year, the Chamber's representative offices organised 247 business roundtables to promote Dubai as a global business hub, attract foreign direct investments, and introduce Dubai as a launchpad for expansion into global markets. This international network serves as a strategic platform linking Dubai with global business communities. It facilitates two-way investment flows, unlocks new channels for bilateral trade, and helps companies in each market tap into the opportunities Dubai offers as a gateway to the world. The chamber's offices also play a vital role in promoting Dubai's competitive advantages as a destination for business growth and expansion. They deliver actionable market intelligence and provide tailored support for international companies seeking to establish a presence in the emirate and scale into high-potential global markets.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store