Dubai has moved into the fast lane as it seeks to make getting around the city a totally futuristic experience. Automation has been a buzzword in this part of the world for years, and new advances mean we may all soon be jumping into driverless taxis to get from A to B.
That journey to cybernation has now been ramped up a gear after the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai penned a deal that will see General Motors-Cruise roll out self-steering vehicles on our roads.
Cruise, as the company is better known, will provide a taxi and electronic reservation service for passengers as part of the landmark agreement.
The announcement marks a major milestone in Dubai’s strategy for self-driving smart mobility. It follows similar news from down the road in Abu Dhabi, where driverless transport is being trialled.
The aim is to have 25 percent of all trips in Dubai completed via driverless modes of transportation by 2030. Not only are driverless vehicles more environmentally friendly – because they run on electricity rather than traditional types of fuel – but they also boast serious safety credentials.
RTA director general and chairman of the board, Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, said: “Self-driving vehicles contribute to raising the level of traffic safety on the roads, as human error is the main cause of more than 90 percent of accidents.
“It is also distinguished by being environmentally friendly electric vehicles capable of serving a large segment of customers, specifically the category of senior citizens, residents and owners.”
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