Dubai's first autonomous taxi to be test run during Gitex

Vehicle equipped with cameras and sensors to be trialled at Dubai Silicon Oasis

The taxi is equipped with cameras and sensors that inform the car's movements to avoid collisions. Courtesy RTA

Dubai's first self-driving taxi will be test run during Gitex Technology Week, the emirate's Road and Transport Authority said on Saturday.

Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the board of executive directors of the RTA said the autonomous vehicle would be tested initially on dedicated routes at Dubai Silicon Oasis.

The taxi is equipped with cameras and sensors that analyse traffic and road conditions, which inform the car's speed and direction to avoid collisions.

On Sunday, the authority also plans to unveil robot cleaners at Dubai Metro stations.

An artificial intelligence-automated Chat Bot system, that responds to customer inquiries using smart communication, will also be exhibited.

In August, the RTA said it would have autonomous vehicles on the city's roads in the "near future".

The claim came after the RTA said it had endorsed standards of testing for electric, hybrid and self-driving vehicles that will ensure the emirate is “pioneering” in the field.

Dubai targets 25 per cent of all journeys to be self-driving by 2030. The goal was set after Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Dubai Smart Self-Driving vision in 2016.

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