Latest news with #SalehAlJasser
Khaleej Times
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Saudi starts testing driverless vehicles in Riyadh
As the Gulf region accelerates its shift toward smart and sustainable transportation, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, July 23, launched the pilot phase of autonomous vehicles in Riyadh. In the initial phase, these driveless vehicles, which can reach a maximum speed of 100kmph, will operate in seven locations in the Kingdom's capital, including the King Khalid International Airport. There will be 13 designated pick-up and drop-off points. During the pilot phase, the vehicles will transport passengers with a safety officer on board each vehicle to ensure safety and monitor the performance of the smart systems in real-world conditions. The pilot phase will be for 12 months. According to Saudi's Transport General Authority (TGA), The project is the result of a comprehensive partnership between the Kingdom's transport and logistics system and key government and private sector entities. Watch the video below: برعاÙ�Ø© Ù�عاÙ�Ù� Ù�زÙ�ر اÙ�Ù�Ù�Ù� Ù�اÙ�خدÙ�اذ اÙ�Ù�Ù�جسذÙ�Ø© @SalehAlJasser اÙ�Ù�Ù�ئة اÙ�عاÙ�Ø© Ù�Ù�Ù�Ù�Ù� ذطÙ�Ù� اÙ�Ù�رØÙ�Ø© اÙ�ذطبÙ�Ù�Ù�Ø© اÙ�Ø£Ù�Ù�Ù�Ø© Ù�Ù�Ù�رÙ�باذ ذاذÙ�Ø© اÙ�Ù�Ù�ادة Under the patronage of H.E. @SalehAlJasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services TGA launches the initial operational phase of autonomousâ�¦ — اÙ�Ù�Ù�ئة اÙ�عاÙ�Ø© Ù�Ù�Ù�Ù�Ù� | TGA (@Saudi_TGA) July 23, 2025 These include the Ministry of Interior, the Digital Economy, Space, and Innovation System, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, and the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organisation.
Gulf Insider
21 hours ago
- Automotive
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Launches Self-Driving Taxis In Landmark Pilot Across Seven Key Locations In Riyadh
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday launched the pilot phase of its first self-driving taxi programme in the capital, Riyadh — a move hailed as a milestone in the Kingdom's push to modernise its transportation infrastructure and embrace artificial intelligence as part of its Vision 2030 agenda. The 12-month trial introduces autonomous taxis at seven strategic locations across the city, including King Khalid International Airport (Terminals 2 and 5), Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, the Roshn Business Front, and key connecting highways. A total of 13 designated pick-up and drop-off stations have been established to support the pilot, which will run under close regulatory and technical oversight. 'Qualitative leap' The project was formally inaugurated by Eng. Saleh Al Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Public Transport Authority. Speaking at the launch, Al Jasser described the initiative as a 'qualitative leap' that reflects the Kingdom's commitment to building a smart, sustainable, and integrated transport system. 'This pilot phase embodies the Kingdom's ambitious vision to build a future-ready transport sector that supports economic diversification, enhances quality of life, and promotes technological innovation,' Al Jasser said. He underscored the importance of sustainability, operational efficiency, and localising innovation, calling the initiative a model of successful public-private collaboration. The initiative is spearheaded by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) in cooperation with a coalition of national and international stakeholders. These include the Ministry of Interior, the Digital Economy, Space and Innovation System, the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization. Private sector partners include leading technology firms such as AiDriver, WeRide, and Uber, reflecting a strategic blend of regulatory, academic, and commercial expertise. Operating under the supervision of the General Transport Authority, the autonomous vehicles are currently running in live urban conditions. Each taxi is equipped with a safety officer onboard to monitor system performance and ensure passenger safety during this early stage. Advanced navigation systems 'The aim is to enable the use of autonomous vehicle technology in a real-world setting, build the appropriate legal and operational frameworks, and lay the foundation for eventual nationwide rollout,' said Dr. Omaima Bamasq, Deputy for Transport Enablement at the General Authority for Transport. 'This is a foundational step in making Saudi cities smarter, more connected, and more sustainable.' The self-driving taxis are equipped with advanced navigation systems, real-time traffic sensors, and AI-based decision-making capabilities. While passengers will ride alongside trained safety personnel during the pilot, future iterations aim to move toward fully autonomous, human-free operation. This trial also fits into broader national efforts under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which seeks to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub, diversify transport modes, and cut emissions through smarter, greener technologies. The pilot will be closely monitored throughout its 12-month run, with performance metrics and passenger feedback helping to shape potential expansion into other Saudi cities. As Riyadh becomes the latest global capital to introduce self-driving vehicles, Saudi Arabia is staking its claim in the future of mobility — one where artificial intelligence, sustainability, and innovation drive the journey forward.
Zawya
21 hours ago
- Automotive
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia launches first pilot phase of self-driving vehicles in Riyadh
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has launched the initial pilot phase of autonomous vehicles in Riyadh, marking a significant step toward smart, AI-driven transport systems. Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the Transport General Authority, Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser, inaugurated the program on Wednesday, emphasizing its role in enabling cutting-edge technologies and advancing a safe, intelligent transport ecosystem. The project will operate in real-life settings across seven key areas in Riyadh, including Terminals 2 and 5 at King Khalid International Airport, Roshn Business Front, Princess Nourah University, the North Train Station, and the Transport General Authority's headquarters. A total of 13 pickup and drop-off points have been designated. Developed through a cross-sector partnership involving the Ministry of Interior, SDAIA, the Geospatial Authority, and private firms like AiDriver, WeRide, and Uber, the project reflects Saudi Arabia's drive to localize innovation and foster public-private collaboration. The vehicles will be monitored closely by onboard safety officers throughout the 12-month pilot phase. They will operate on major highways and urban roads under the direct regulatory and technical oversight of the Authority. Al-Jasser said the initiative demonstrates the Kingdom's commitment to sustainable mobility and economic growth, calling it 'a model for smart and secure transport partnerships.' The Authority confirmed the pilot aims to prepare for broader national rollout, positioning Saudi Arabia at the forefront of autonomous mobility in the region. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Argaam
a day ago
- Automotive
- Argaam
Transport Minister launches trial phase of autonomous vehicles
Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Transport General Authority (TGA) Saleh Al-Jasser launched today the initial pilot phase of autonomous vehicles in Riyadh. The autonomous vehicles will operate in this phase within a real-world environment, covering King Khalid International Airport and several key locations in Riyadh, which include highways and selected destinations in the city center, state-run news agency SPA reported. The phase is implemented under TGA's direct regulatory and technical supervision. During this stage, the vehicles will transport passengers with a safety officer present in each vehicle to ensure safety and monitor the performance of smart systems under real conditions. This project comes as a result of a complementary partnership among the transport and logistics ecosystem and related entities. These include the Ministry of Interior, the digital economy, space and innovation ecosystem, the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA), the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA), and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), along with the private sector represented by technology and operations partners Uber, WeRide and AiDriver. The autonomous vehicles are ten times safer than those driven by humans, Al-Jasser said, in an interview with Al Ekhbariya TV channel.
Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Automotive
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Transport Minister Launches Initial Operational Phase of Autonomous Vehicles
Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the Board of the Transport General Authority Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser launched on Wednesday the Initial Operational Phase of Autonomous Vehicles in Riyadh. This milestone marks a significant step aimed at enabling advanced technology and expanding the development of a smart and safe transportation ecosystem in the Kingdom. The initiative aligns with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and is an extension of Saudi Vision 2030 towards adopting sustainable mobility solutions powered by the latest artificial intelligence technologies. This project is the result of an integrated partnership that brings together the transport and logistics ecosystem and relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology ecosystem, the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), in addition to private sector partners represented by technology and operations partners Uber, WeRide, and AiDriver. The autonomous vehicles in this phase will operate within a real-world environment covering King Khalid International Airport and several key locations across Riyadh, including major highways and selected city center destinations. This phase is implemented under the direct regulatory and technical supervision of the Transport General Authority. The vehicles will transport passengers with a safety officer onboard each vehicle to ensure safety and monitor the performance of smart systems in actual operating conditions. Al-Jasser stressed that the launch of the initial operational phase reflects the Kingdom's ambitious vision to build a smart and integrated transport system that supports economic growth and enhances quality of life. Enabling modern technologies and developing regulatory and operational frameworks are key pillars to expanding the implementation of this technology and supporting the transformation of the transport sector, he added. The initiative is an extension of the Kingdom's efforts to promote sustainability, improve mobility efficiency, and localize innovation. This project represents a pioneering model of public-private partnership, paving the way for a future of safer and smarter mobility, he stated.
