Self-driving cars are coming to Dubai roads soon
In the coming decade, Dubai’s transportation will undergo a significant change. Driverless cars in Dubai will soon become a common reality, and transportation is poised to undergo a revolution brought on by autonomous vehicles and other types of vehicles. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), a leader in research and development (R&D) and technology, has taken it a step further in utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to significantly reduce costs and increase the effectiveness of public transit.
In order for Dubai to become the smartest city in the world, His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has unveiled a plan for the city’s transportation system in the future. A few significant figures can be used to summarize this project:
- 25 percent of Dubai’s transportation will be automated by 2030
- Cutting costs by 44 percent might result in annual savings of up to Dh22 billion
- By reducing travel time by 396 million hours a year, productivity can be raised by 13 percent
- 12 percent fewer accidents, $2 billion in annual savings
Preparing for the Future
The cutting-edge self-driving Ubers are almost ready, but first Dubai’s streets must be digitally mapped before they can be introduced to the public. In order to create these digital maps for Cruise’s self-driving vehicles this month, Cruise will start operating two Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles (EVs) on July 24, according to Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Outside of the USA, Dubai will be the first city to implement such self-driving cars.
“This initiative enhances Dubai’s pioneering role in self-driving transport.” Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of the RTA said, “it is an important step towards realizing Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy aimed to transform 25 percent of total mobility journeys in Dubai into journeys on various self-driving transport modes by 2030.”
Self-Driving Taxi Dubai Launch Coming Soon
Soon, citizens of Dubai will be able to hail a driverless taxi like calling uber. By the end of 2022, self-driving taxis will be tested in Dubai, according to the RTA, with an official debut slated for 2023. Operations will begin at the end of 2023, with 4,000 cabs expected to be available by 2030, according to an Instagram post by RTA.
The cars will have 80 sensors, cameras, and (LiDAR )systems, which will monitor the road conditions and act as controls to prevent collisions with any objects, including those that the human eye cannot perceive. Human errors account for over 90 percent of vehicle accidents, and not only will these vehicles serve those most vulnerable like senior citizens and physically disabled individuals, but they will do so with a negative carbon footprint.
Driverless cars in Dubai seem like the perfect next step for a country that prides itself on its rapid technological innovation and adoption. If Dubai and the UAE are to become the technological hub of the (GCC) and (MENA) region, they must keep their eyes forward and continue to think ahead, preparing their cities and lands for the future before it comes, as they are doing now.