Dubai Begins Testing of Autonomous Electric Taxis

Dubai has started testing a new electric and driverless transportation system; small vehicles that operate on dedicated routes and may facilitate transportation between metro stations and various neighborhoods in the city in the future.

The RTA launched a four-week trial of the Glydways system on Sunday, October 11, 2026, on Bluewaters Island. These autonomous vehicles can carry four to six passengers and can travel at a maximum speed of 50 kilometers per hour. Their range on a single battery charge reaches up to 250 kilometers.

Unlike buses and taxis, Glydways vehicles operate on narrow and dedicated paths, separate from street traffic. This system is designed for on-demand travel; passengers can be transported directly between their origin and destination without needing to follow fixed bus routes.

According to the RTA, this network, if developed, could transport over 20,000 passengers in each direction per hour.

Which areas of Dubai may be connected to this system?

One of the main objectives of this plan is to connect metro stations to residential areas, workplaces, shopping centers, and tourist attractions.

One proposed route is to connect the National Paints metro station to Bluewaters Island along a 2.8-kilometer path.

Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Festival City, Business Bay, and Mohammed Bin Rashid City are also potential areas for the development of this system. However, these routes are still under review, and their implementation depends on the results of tests and subsequent evaluations.

What you need to know about the Glydways trial:

• Testing location: Bluewaters Island, Dubai
• Testing duration: four weeks from October 11, 2026
• Capacity of each vehicle: four to six passengers
• Maximum speed: 50 kilometers per hour
• Battery range: up to 250 kilometers
• Potential network capacity: over 20,000 passengers per hour, in each direction
• Potential development areas: JVC, Dubai Festival City, Business Bay, and Mohammed Bin Rashid City
Source: Gulf News