13-05-2025
Driverless Taxis Set to Hit Riyadh Streets Soon
Not long ago, we shared an episode about driverless taxis cruising the streets of Abu Dhabi. Now, that same exciting technology is heading to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia is getting ready to launch its own driverless taxi service, and it could change how people get around the capital forever.
(Note: The main image shown is a conceptual representation and does not depict an actual vehicle currently operating in Riyadh.)
The plan was revealed by Dr. Omaimah Bamasag, Deputy of Transport Enablement at the Transport General Authority (TGA). She explained that this move is part of a bigger effort to build smarter, safer, and more eco-friendly transport systems across the Kingdom—with driverless taxis playing a key role.
Riyadh will be the first city in Saudi Arabia to introduce these futuristic driverless taxis, but five other cities are also being prepared for this shift. The rollout won't stop at taxis—Saudi roads could soon welcome autonomous trucks, self-driving cars, and even delivery drones.
'نعمل على إطلاق مشروع التاكسي ذاتي القيادة في الرياض، والذي يمثل خطوة نوعية نحو مستقبل ذكي ومستدام في قطاع النقل'
وكيل تمكين النقل د. أميمة بامسق خلال مشاركتها في #مؤتمر_الذكاء_الاصطناعي_2025_UJ
— الهيئة العامة للنقل | TGA (@Saudi_TGA) May 8, 2025
To make this possible, Saudi Arabia is upgrading its streets with the latest tech. That includes special road setups for driverless vehicles, live digital maps, and sensors that let cars 'talk' to each other and to traffic systems. It may sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but driverless taxis are already in the works.
Overseeing all of this is the Future Mobility Committee, led by the Deputy Minister of Transport. This team is managing over 120 transport projects across the country, including 16 that focus on artificial intelligence and smart mobility. They're not just planning—they're actively building the future of driverless transport.
And we're already seeing results. Electric buses are now running in cities like Jeddah and Tabuk, helping to cut down pollution and bring more modern public transport to more places, alongside the soon-to-arrive driverless taxis.
For everyday riders in Riyadh, driverless taxis could mean a lot less waiting, no small talk, and fewer delays. These cars will be tested thoroughly before hitting the roads, making sure they're safe to share space with human drivers.
In the end, this isn't just about cool tech. It's about making life easier, travel smoother, and the environment cleaner. With driverless taxis just around the corner, Riyadh is on the road to something big—and pretty soon, catching a cab might look completely different.
