The Dubai Autonomous Zone (DAZ) represents a step in Dubai’s integration of autonomous transport technologies. This initiative aligns with broader EV adoption and smart city developments in the UAE, including potential intersections with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities and RoboTaxi concepts.
Launching the Dubai Autonomous Zone: RTA at Dubai World Congress 2025
DAZ was unveiled on September 25, 2025, at the end of the 5th Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, held September 24-25, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The congress drew over 3,000 experts and focused on autonomous vehicles, AI mobility, and self-driving technologies. It included the 5th Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, themed “Smart Integrated Infrastructure,” with winners recognized for innovations in multi-modal autonomous districts. The challenge exceeded application targets by 170%, with five finalists (four consortia and one company) selected to develop models for integrated transport zones.
Zone Specifications: Where the Dubai Autonomous Zone is located
The Dubai Autonomous Zone (DAZ) spans 15 square kilometers, including a 12 square kilometer core area with extensions, centered at Al Jaddaf Metro Station (Creek Station on the Green Line) and reaching Dubai Festival City and Dubai Creek Harbour. It covers 20 kilometers of roads, 10 kilometers of waterways, and 3.8 kilometers of aerial routes, functioning as a multi-modal hub that connects land, water, and air transport for integrated autonomous mobility.
| Location/Feature | Arabic Label (Transliterated) | English Label | Description/Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al Jaddaf Metro Station | محطة مترو الجدف (Muḥaṭṭat Mitrū al-Jadef) | Al Jaddaf Metro Station (Creek Station, Green Line) | Entry point; driverless metro hub integrating land/water/air modes. |
| Dubai Creek Harbour | خور دبي الحرة (Khawr Dubay al-Ḥurra) | Dubai Creek Harbour | Residential/commercial extension; supports RoboBoats and Abras on 10 km waterways. |
| Dubai Festival City | مدينة مهرجان دبي (Madīnat Mahrajan Dubay) | Dubai Festival City | Entertainment district; covers aerial routes (3.8 km) for drones/eVTOL. |
| Al Jaddaf Waterfront | كورنيش الجدف (Kawrnīsh al-Jadef) | Al Jaddaf Waterfront | Creek-side path; 20 km road network for RoboTaxis/RoboBuses. |
| Creek Park Area | حديقة الخور (Ḥadīqat al-Khawr) | Creek Park Vicinity | Green space integration; pilot zones for autonomous deliveries. |
| Dubai Creek | خور دبي (Khawr Dubay) | Dubai Creek | Central waterway axis; autonomous navigation for Roboboats. |
- Additional Annotations:
- Route icons (circles/dots) mark integration points, e.g., “Multi-Modal Hub” (مركز متعدد الوسائط).
- Scale indicators show ~20 km roads, 10 km waterways.
- Overlay text includes “DAZ Core” (نواة DAZ) and “Smart Infrastructure” (بنية تحتية ذكية), tying to the congress theme.
Sources: RTA press release; Dubai Media Office announcements.
What to expect: Taxis, Robots, Drones & more
The Dubai Autonomous Zone (DAZ) envisions a transformative urban ecosystem where autonomous technologies converge to redefine mobility, blending land, water, and air transport into a seamless, sustainable network that minimizes traffic congestion, accidents, and emissions while prioritizing accessibility for all users. Drawing from Dubai’s Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, this initiative positions the city as a global pioneer in integrated smart mobility, fostering public-private collaborations to innovate autonomous districts that align with broader UAE megaprojects and EV advancements, such as expanding Tesla Supercharger networks to support RoboTaxi fleets and enhance urban connectivity by 2030.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Autonomous Modes | 6-7 modes: Land (Driverless Metro, RoboTaxis, RoboBuses, Roboshuttles); Water (Autonomous Roboboats, Abras); Air (Aerial routes for drones/eVTOL); Additional (Pilot tests for deliveries/service vehicles) |
| Infrastructure Benefits | Reduces traffic, accidents, emissions; Enhances accessibility for mobility-impaired users; Supports UAE EV growth |
| Strategic Targets | 25% of daily trips autonomous by 2030; Dubai as global benchmark for smart mobility; Emphasis on public-private partnerships for sustainability and efficiency |
The DAZ emphasizes sustainability, efficiency, and urban connectivity, contributing to Dubai’s megaprojects and smart city initiatives.
Currently known Partnerships and Participants (i.e. signed MoU or similar)
- Lead: Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), collaborating with Emaar and Al-Futtaim.
- MoUs: WeRide (Robotaxi trial permit and DAZ collaboration); Pony.ai (Robotaxi testing permit post-congress); Baidu (early participant).
- Others: Uber (collaboration on RoboTaxis); global consortia from the challenge.
- Early operations: Target 1,000 RoboTaxis by 2028.
Sources: RTA announcements; company press releases. These partnerships highlight opportunities for Tesla ecosystem integration in UAE autonomous zones.
Rough Timeline of the Autonomous Transporation Zone in Dubai
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Congress and Announcement | September 24-25, 2025 |
| RoboTaxi Trials Begin | End of 2025 |
| Zone Operational | Early 2026 |
| 1,000 RoboTaxis on Roads | By 2028 |
| 25% Autonomous Trips | By 2030 |
Sources: RTA strategy documents; congress outcomes.
Primary Sources
- Company Releases: WeRide, Pony.ai (MoUs and permits, September 25-26, 2025).
- RTA Official Website: Press releases on congress, challenge, and DAZ (rta.ae).
- Dubai Media Office X (@DXBMediaOffice): Posts on challenge theme and finalists (e.g., September 21, 2025).
- RTA X (@rta_dubai): Announcements on challenge finalists and strategy (e.g., January 8, 2025; September updates).
- Congress Site: sdcongress.com (event details, challenge scope).