Masdar City Tests Autonomous Vehicles for Sustainable Transport.

Masdar City, Abu Dhabi's hub for innovation and sustainability, has launched tests of autonomous electric vehicles, marking a significant step towards reshaping urban transportation. The announcement, made during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), highlights Masdar City's commitment to clean and connected future mobility.

As a strategic partner of the World Future Energy Summit, Masdar City is showcasing its autonomous vehicle initiative, aligning with its vision for a sustainable and integrated urban mobility ecosystem. This project emphasizes zero-emission transportation and accelerates the development of autonomous technologies in urban environments.

The initial testing involves a shuttle-style electric vehicle equipped with advanced LIDAR sensors, electronic components, and innovative software, enabling it to navigate obstacles and drive autonomously. These trials are the first phase of a larger testing program that will include vehicles from various global brands. Masdar City plans to deploy a fleet of seven autonomous vehicles based on the test results, furthering its zero-emission transportation goals.

"These tests are a significant step towards a truly sustainable transportation ecosystem," said Ahmed Baghoum, CEO of Masdar City. "By collaborating with global innovators, we aim to position Masdar City as a global benchmark for zero-emission autonomous mobility. Testing diverse self-driving technologies will help us identify the best solutions for our community and beyond.”

This autonomous vehicle initiative is part of Masdar City's broader strategy to create a comprehensive, zero-emission transportation fleet. Solution+, the official fleet operator, will manage the fleet's operations, partnering with Masdar City to oversee the autonomous vehicle network's operations and expansion.

The Mobility Cluster at Masdar City is central to advancing sustainable and autonomous mobility solutions. It unites global industry leaders, regulators, and innovators to develop cutting-edge technologies that will transform urban transportation. The Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) initiative, also part of this ecosystem, plays a vital role in research, development, and deployment of next-generation mobility solutions tailored to the Middle East's unique environment.

“The Mobility Cluster and SAVI initiative are pivotal in ensuring we stay ahead of the curve in autonomous and sustainable mobility,” Baghoum stated. “This ecosystem fosters collaboration, facilitates testing of new concepts, and accelerates the deployment of transformative solutions adaptable to the region’s climate and infrastructure.”

Masdar City's leadership in autonomous mobility began in 2010 with the implementation of the personal rapid transit (PRT) system, a fully autonomous, electric transportation solution. The current autonomous vehicle initiative builds on this foundation, paving the way for the next generation of smart and sustainable transportation infrastructure.

Looking ahead, Masdar City plans to establish a research and development hub for autonomous taxis and expand its transportation infrastructure to include tram and train stations. These initiatives support the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategy, positioning Masdar City as a leader in global efforts to decarbonize urban transport.

“The integration of autonomous vehicles is part of Masdar City’s broader commitment to a fully integrated ecosystem of sustainable solutions,” Baghoum added. “By advancing autonomous mobility, we are addressing today’s transportation needs and paving the way for cleaner, greener cities tomorrow.”