Dubai’s journey towards operating a fleet of autonomous taxis by the end of 2023 takes a definitive step this month with the two Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles (EVs) commencing operations to prepare digital maps for the self-driving vehicles.
The process is a prelude to the launch of the actual service, following an agreement between Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Cruise LLC, the self-driving car unit owned by General Motors in April 2021.
The two Bolt EVs will be initially deployed on Jumeirah streets and driven by specialist drivers. Cruise’s technology uses a high-resolution map of the physical environment, which is created using specialised mapping vehicles equipped with a suite of sensors including LiDAR, cameras, and other equipment, and are driven throughout the city to collect data. This is then used to create and maintain a navigable map for autonomous vehicles (AVs).
Under the Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, Dubai aims to transform 25 percent of total mobility journeys in the city into journeys on various self-driving transport means by 2030.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, RTA, said that the plan was to deploy 4,000 AVs on Dubai roads over the next eight years.
“Preparing digital maps is an essential step in the process of operating self-driving Cruise Origin vehicles, which will be deployed in limited numbers next year to offer taxi and e-Hail services. We have plans to increase the number of vehicles gradually to reach up to 4000 vehicles by 2030,” said Al Tayer.
“This initiative enhances Dubai’s pioneering role in self-driving transport. Autonomous vehicles contribute to the integration of transport systems by easing the mobility of public transport riders and helping them to reach their final destinations. It fits well with RTA’s first and last-mile strategy approved last year.”
Cruise shares the same vision as General Motors and RTA that AVs can help lead to a safe, less congested future for all, delivering enormous benefits for society in the form of increased safety and access to transportation. These efforts will clearly advance General Motors’ vision of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion.
“The spread of AVs marks a quality shift in public transportation systems. It is associated with innovative solutions for facilitating mobility, easing city congestion, and boosting road traffic safety levels. Human errors are responsible for more than 90 percent of accidents. The AVs are environment-friendly electric vehicles, and can serve many customers,” added Al Tayer.
The agreement between the RTA and Cruise is the first of its kind worldwide between a government entity and a leading company in the field of autonomous vehicles. The selection of Cruise as the exclusive provider of autonomous cars came after a comprehensive, multi-year process to choose the best possible partner.
At the time of signing of the agreement, Dan Ammann, CEO of Cruise, said: “The Cruise Origin will make transportation safer, a better experience, more affordable and better for the planet. Dubai and the RTA are leading the way in making this a reality for their people, and for people everywhere.”
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