In a first, Dubai introduces self-driving taxis

Self-driving taxis might shortly be seen on the roads of Dubai, as road tests of the 'autonomous taxi' will soon be carried out.

At the annual consumer electronics trade show ‘GITEX 2018’, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) demonstrated its autonomous taxi service that will transport passengers across the city.

Launching the test run of the first ‘Autonomous Taxi’ in #GITEX2018. For more details about our initiatives, visit our stand S2C1 at Sheikh Saeed Hall in the Dubai World Trade Centre. pic.twitter.com/GjNqmcFL2n

— RTA (@RTA_Dubai) October 13, 2018

As per Mashable, the transportation officials informed that the driverless taxis will begin trial run towards the end of 2018 and designated routes and will continue for the next three months. The cars will connect passengers during the ‘first and last mile’ to get from the prevailing transportation systems to any venue.

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“The vehicle features high safety and security standards. It can remotely scan and figure out the surroundings, such as light signals and the four sides of the track through a GPS system. It can monitor any object that may have the potential of triggering a collision,” explained CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency, Ahmed Bahrozyan.

The prototype taxis used are modified Mercedes-Benz sedans equipped with cameras, sensors, and LiDAR system built into the car. On the front will be a safety driver that will be able to take over the car when required. RTA informed that the autonomous cars can go up to 20mph and carry in up to four passengers including the standby driver.

 

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And the Crown Jewel of the 1st day of @gitextechweek : #Repost @dgworlds (@get_repost) ??? More To come .. #Autonomous #Taxi #Dubai #digirobotics #Repost @rta_dubai (@get_repost) ??? . ???????? ??????? ?? #?????_2018? ????? ??? ??????? ???????? ????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ???????? ??? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ??? ????? ?????????? ????? ??? ??? ????? 25% ?? ??????? ??? ??????? ????? ??????? ????? ??? 2030. ???? ??????? ???? ?? ??????? ???????? ?? ???? ??? ????????? ????? ?? ?? ????? ???????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ???????? ????? ?? ??????? ??????? ????? ?? ??????? ???????? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ???? ???????? ???????? ??????? ???? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? "?? ?? ??"? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ???????? ???. ???? ??????? ???????? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ????????? ????? ????? ????. ?????? ?? ????????? ???? ????? ????? "??? ???????" ?????? ????? ?? ???? ????????? ???????. Through our stand at GITEX 2018, we have exhibited the first ‘Autonomous taxi’ in the region. The technology underscores our commitment to enhance the Dubai Government’s Strategy to convert 25% of total journeys in Dubai into autonomous transit by 2030. The vehicle has been designed in conjunction with the Dubai Silicon Oasis and DG World (Digirobotics). The vehicle offers an innovative solution for challenges associated with the first and last mile. The vehicle features high safety and security standards. It can remotely scan and figure out the surroundings, such as light signals and the four sides of the track through a GPS system. It can monitor any object that may have the potential of triggering a collision. The trial run of the vehicle will start towards the end of this year at designated routes in Dubai Silicon Oasis and continue for three months. For more details, visit the “Latest News” tab in our biography. #RTAatGITEX2018 @dtcuae @dubaisiliconoasis @dgworlds

A post shared by Digi Robotics Tech (@digirobotics) on Oct 14, 2018 at 12:12pm PDT

According to RTA, the technology comes under RTA’s commitment to improve Dubai Government’s strategy to convert 25% of total journeys in Dubai into autonomous transit by the year 2030. This imitative also achieves RTA’s goals of ‘Smart Dubai’ and ‘Advance RTA’.