RTA has launched a four-week Bluewaters trial of autonomous electric Glydways vehicles on dedicated tracks. The proposed system is designed for up to 20,000 passengers an hour and could ultimately feed passengers into Dubai’s wider public transport network.
DUBAI: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched the Dubai Glydways trial at Bluewaters Island, introducing driverless electric pods that could change how residents and tourists travel across the city.
The four-week pilot, which began on October 11, 2026, uses artificial intelligence to operate small autonomous vehicles on dedicated tracks, away from regular road traffic.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of RTA’s Board of Executive Directors, marked the launch with a five-minute journey aboard one of the pods.
How does Dubai’s new driverless transport work?
The Glydways system uses compact electric vehicles that carry between four and six passengers. Each pod travels at speeds of up to 50 km/h and can cover approximately 250 kilometres on a single battery charge.
Unlike conventional buses, the system aims to offer direct, on-demand journeys without fixed departure schedules.
The pods use 20 high-resolution LiDAR sensors, alongside radar and cameras, to monitor their surroundings and navigate safely without human drivers.
Dedicated tracks allow the vehicles to operate independently of normal traffic, potentially reducing journey delays.
Can Glydways carry 20,000 passengers per hour?
RTA says the system could transport more than 20,000 passengers per hour in both directions when operating as a larger network.
The technology can virtually connect more than 10 vehicles, maintaining intervals of less than one second between pods.
RTA also estimates that the system could reduce capital costs by up to 90 per cent and operating costs by up to 70 per cent compared with similar transport systems.
These figures represent the system’s projected capabilities rather than results from the current pilot.
Where could Dubai introduce Glydways next?
The Dubai Glydways trial will help RTA assess opportunities to connect Metro stations with residential, commercial and tourist destinations.
Routes under consideration include a 2.8-kilometre connection between National Paints Metro Station and Bluewaters, alongside potential services in Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Festival City, Business Bay and Mohammed Bin Rashid City.
RTA has not announced confirmed launch dates or public booking arrangements for these proposed routes.
What will RTA assess during the four-week trial?
RTA will examine passenger experience, journey times, autonomous driving performance, communication systems and operational safety.
The authority will also assess how effectively the pods could complement Dubai’s existing public transport network.
Impact to expect
The Dubai Glydways trial could bring Dubai closer to faster, cleaner and more convenient urban travel. If the technology meets safety and operational requirements, future networks could improve Metro connectivity, reduce dependence on private vehicles and offer residents and visitors an alternative to congested roads.
