The robotaxi service in Dubai will use the Cruise Origin, an all-electric shuttle first unveiled in January last year. Cruise
The robotaxi service in Dubai will use the Cruise Origin, an all-electric shuttle first unveiled in January last year. Cruise
The robotaxi service in Dubai will use the Cruise Origin, an all-electric shuttle first unveiled in January last year. Cruise
The robotaxi service in Dubai will use the Cruise Origin, an all-electric shuttle first unveiled in January last year. Cruise

Cruise to unveil its driverless robotaxis in Dubai in 2023


Alkesh Sharma
  • English
  • Arabic

Cruise, the self-driving vehicle company backed by General Motors and Honda, will launch its first international robotaxi service outside the US in Dubai in 2023, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, said on Twitter.

“Dubai will be the first outside America to operate self-driving Cruise vehicles, in fulfilment of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s vision that Dubai is always in first place and the best city to live and work,” said Sheikh Hamdan.

“Our goal is to convert 25 per cent of the total ... trips in Dubai to self-driving trips through various means of transport by 2030.”

Sheikh Hamdan discussed the future of mobility with Jeff Bleich, chief legal officer of General Motors-Cruise. He also attended the signing ceremony of a strategic partnership between Cruise and the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority.

The entities aim to have a limited number of Cruise’s self-driving vehicles running in Dubai from 2023, with 4,000 vehicles on the road by 2030.

Dubai aims to reduce transport costs by Dh900 million ($245.2m) through its adoption of self-driving technology, Sheikh Hamdan said. Using these vehicles could increase the transport efficiency, help the emirate to grow revenue by Dh18bn a year and generate Dh1.5 billion in savings through a reduction of environmental pollution by 12 per cent a year, he said.

The robotaxi service in Dubai will use the Cruise Origin, an all-electric shuttle first unveiled in January last year.

“The Cruise Origin will make transportation safer, a better experience, more affordable and better for the planet,” Dan Ammann, chief executive of Cruise, said.

“Dubai and the RTA are leading the way in making this a reality for their people, and for people everywhere.”

The vehicle has no steering wheel and seats will face each other.

The robotaxis, in Cruise’s orange and black colours, will “accommodate the needs of an individual, with personal USB ports”, the company’s chief technology officer and co-founder Kyle Vogt said at the time.

Improvements are also being made to allow it to travel at motorway speeds. The Cruise Origin is will be produced at General Motor’s Detroit-Hamtramck plant from next year.

A driverless Cruise vehicle displayed at 2019's Detroit Motor Show. AP
A driverless Cruise vehicle displayed at 2019's Detroit Motor Show. AP

The car maker has spent about $2.2bn refurbishing the plant to switch from internal combustion motors to battery-powered electric engines.

“We engaged in a comprehensive, multi-year process to choose the best possible partner,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the board of executive directors of the RTA.

“Cruise’s technology, resources, purpose-built vehicle, car maker partnerships, approach to safe testing and deployment and strategy give them the ability to launch safely and faster than any other company.”

Cruise, which has raised more than $7.4bn over the last three years, was valued at $30bn in January. Its investors include SoftBank, Honda, GM, T Rowe Price Group and Microsoft.

The company aims to unveil a robotic taxi service to compete against companies such as Uber and Lyft.

It began to test self-driving vehicles on the streets of San Francisco in December after it obtained permission from California’s state government in October.

The company, which was bought by GM in 2016, had previously set a goal of using driverless cars as part of a ride-hailing service by the end of 2019 but the plan has taken longer than expected to bring to fruition.

Other technology companies such as Amazon and Google owner Alphabet are also backing self-driving electric initiatives that are focused on mass transport.

Alphabet's Waymo is operating a commercial self-driving taxi service, whereas Amazon-backed Zoox is working on a self-driving ride-hailing fleet. Industry analysts said Amazon could also use self-driving cars to deliver goods to customers.

Many local companies are experimenting with self-driving technology in the UAE.

Cruise will establish a new Dubai-based company which will be fully responsible for the deployment, operation and maintenance of the fleet. Courtesy Cruise
Cruise will establish a new Dubai-based company which will be fully responsible for the deployment, operation and maintenance of the fleet. Courtesy Cruise

In September, the Dubai-based Al Habtoor group joined forces with Israeli car technology company Mobileye in September to operate a fleet of self-driving vehicles and robotaxis in Dubai by 2023.

Transport chiefs in Abu Dhabi intend to allow driverless taxis in the emirate from this year.

The Department of Municipalities and Transport has linked up with Bayanat, part of the G42 group, on a trial for the use of self-driving vehicles.

The first phase of the project will feature three self-driving vehicles providing free transport services from hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and offices at Yas Mall.

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km

Price: Dh133,900

On sale: now 

CREW
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERajesh%20A%20Krishnan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETabu%2C%20Kareena%20Kapoor%20Khan%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Five expert hiking tips
    Always check the weather forecast before setting off Make sure you have plenty of water Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon Wear appropriate clothing and footwear Take your litter home with you
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
  • Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
  • Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
  • Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
 
 
THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Brandt%20Andersen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOmar%20Sy%2C%20Jason%20Beghe%2C%20Angeliki%20Papoulia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Essentials

The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes. 
 

Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes. 


In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes. 
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

Teri%20Baaton%20Mein%20Aisa%20Uljha%20Jiya
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amit%20Joshi%20and%20Aradhana%20Sah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECast%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shahid%20Kapoor%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%2C%20Dharmendra%2C%20Dimple%20Kapadia%2C%20Rakesh%20Bedi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Cheb%20Khaled'
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EArtist%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKhaled%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELabel%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBelieve%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Porsche Macan T: The Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo 

Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm 

Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm 

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto 

Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec 

Top speed: 232kph 

Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km 

On sale: May or June 

Price: From Dh259,900  

LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff
By Sean Penn
Simon & Schuster

How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
  • Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
  • Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
The specs: 2019 Lincoln MKC

Price, base / as tested: Dh169,995 / Dh192,045

Engine: Turbocharged, 2.0-litre, in-line four-cylinder

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power: 253hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 389Nm @ 2,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.7L / 100km

What to watch out for:

Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways

The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof

The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history

Several pillars more than 20 metres high will support the structure

Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used