Dubai RTA and Cruise has started supervised testing of Chevrolet Bolt-based autonomous vehicles in Jumeirah 1 area

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai, in collaboration with Cruise, an autonomous technology firm, has initiated the supervision of driverless vehicles based on the Chevrolet Bolt in the Jumeirah 1 region. In order to run autonomous cars and provide e-hailing and taxi services in the future throughout the emirate of Dubai, RTA and Cruise have a collaboration agreement.Together with successful data collecting and testing on closed test tracks, RTA and Cruise have conducted the most recent testing of the Cruise autonomous technology in the presence of a safety driver.

In addition, since February 2022, Cruise has operated a driverless ride-hailing service in the United States. RTA's technical team recently travelled to San Francisco and rode on Cruises, confirming RTA's faith in Cruise's technology. As a step towards realising RTA's strategic goals of elevating Dubai's autonomous pioneership in the region, strengthening its global leadership in autonomous mobility, and advancing its ambitions to become the world's smartest city, the trial is also seen as a step forward towards realising the first autonomous transportation experience in the Middle East and North Africa.

An effort of this nature, requiring the deployment of advanced technology and investments in intelligent mobility, is consistent with RTA's mission to improve the security and well-being of Dubai's citizens and visitors. The goal of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister, Vice President, and ruler of Dubai, is to have 25% of journeys become autonomous by 2030. All of these initiatives are directed towards realising this goal.

Cruise will verify the safety and effectiveness of Cruise AVs for autonomous driving in Dubai, as well as the suitability of the AV's specifications with regard to the digital and physical infrastructure for the intended operating area in Jumeirah 1.

In order to demonstrate the maturity of Cruise's cars during tests and demonstrations, particularly in high-traffic circumstances in Dubai, the team will also focus on optimising the autonomous technology's performance. In the early phases of the autonomous Cruise car road tests in Dubai, a safety driver will be in the driver's seat.In the same context, RTA made history by granting Dubai's first authorization to test autonomous vehicles (AVs). Cruise received the formal handover of the trial permission.