Dubai Inaugurates Fourth World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, Reinforcing Smart Mobility Vision

Dubai Hosts Global Self-Driving Transport Event

The fourth edition of the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport commenced on September 24, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. Organized by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the two-day congress and exhibition operates under the theme 'Redefining Mobility… The Path to Autonomy'.

Strategic Vision for Autonomous Mobility

The Congress serves as a pivotal platform for Dubai to advance its ambitious Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy. This strategy aims to transform 25% of all journeys in Dubai into self-driving trips by 2030, with a further increase to 36% by 2040. Sheikh Hamdan emphasized Dubai's commitment to becoming a global hub for innovation and future-driven technologies, stating, 'Our goal is to present the world with a model for autonomous mobility, reinforcing Dubai's status as a pioneer in sustainability and a living laboratory for the future.' The event attracts over 3,000 international participants, features more than 80 speakers, and hosts 55 leading exhibitors showcasing innovations in self-driving vehicles, robotics, artificial intelligence, and smart mobility solutions.

Key Initiatives and Future Deployments

During the inauguration, the unified visual identity for all autonomous vehicles in the city, branded 'Dubai Future Ride', was unveiled. Pilot operations involving more than 60 self-driving vehicles by global companies such as Baidu Apollo Go, WeRide, and Pony.ai are currently underway in areas like Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim, with a commercial launch of driverless taxis scheduled for 2026.

A significant development highlighted at the Congress is the launch of the Dubai Autonomous Zone (DAZ), a 15-kilometer dedicated corridor for driverless vehicles and marine transport. Set to become operational in early 2026, the DAZ will cover areas including Al Jaddaf Metro Station, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Dubai Festival City, offering a seamless network of self-driving options such as RoboTaxis, RoboBuses, autonomous shuttles, delivery robots, and autonomous abras. The event also included the honoring of winners of the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, which offers prizes totaling $3 million.

Global Collaboration and Economic Impact

The Congress aims to foster collaboration among leading global companies, universities, and specialized research institutions to develop innovative solutions for future transport systems. His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's RTA, emphasized that the event reflects the vision to position Dubai as the world's smartest city and enhance the sustainability of its mobility ecosystem. The Self-Driving Transport Strategy is also a key component of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which seeks to double the emirate's economy and consolidate its global leadership across various sectors.