Skip to main content

RTA Dubai and Next Future Transport launch autonomous pods

The Roads Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai, in collaboration with Next Future Transport, is testing autonomous mobility pods on the sidelines of the World Government Summit as part of its effort under the future accelerators initiatives. The trial also supports the city's Self-Driving Strategy to make 25% of public transport autonomous by 2030. These pods are designed with the intention of travelling short and medium distances in dedicated lanes and can be coupled in 15 to 20 seconds or detached, depen
February 15, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
The Roads Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai, in collaboration with Next Future Transport, is testing autonomous mobility pods on the sidelines of the World Government Summit as part of its effort under the %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external future accelerators initiatives false http://www.dubaifuture.gov.ae/our-initiatives/dubai-future-accelerators/ false false%>. The trial also supports the city's Self-Driving Strategy to make 25% of public transport autonomous by 2030.


These pods are designed with the intention of travelling short and medium distances in dedicated lanes and can be coupled in 15 to 20 seconds or detached, depending on the rider's destination, in five seconds. Cameras and electromechanical technologies carry out the coupling and detaching processes, which can be activated in-motion.

Each pod can carry up to ten passengers and has an average speed of 20 k/h. It comes with a three-hour battery capacity; which is chargeable in six hours.

HE Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors of the RTA, said: "The RTA has signed an agreement with the American Next Future Inc. to develop autonomous units named NX1 as part of the initial phase of Dubai Future Accelerators. The prototypes of these units are manufactured in Italy and shipped to Dubai to put them on trials. These pods run on a virtual pre-configured and programmed lane and are overseen by the operational system.

“The success of initial tests of these units will bring about a breakthrough in transportation systems that offer innovative mobility solutions and ease snarls in the city. The RTA is keen on ensuring the principle of safety in all services delivered to clients. The autonomous pods have three protection systems in order to ensure full control and avoid crashing into any body. The main system comprises 3D cameras, and the second one is a standby system based on ordinary cameras, and the last is operated manually by the operator.”

Related Content

  • Gulf Traffic Q&A: Middle East in Focus
    October 9, 2019
    Gulf Traffic takes place on 9-11 December in Dubai – the centre of business in the Middle East and North Africa. ITS International is the official media partner of Gulf Traffic, and this year the event will highlight the latest technologies and systems from global suppliers. Rahul Rawat, exhibition director, explains how the international industry can benefit from the opportunities that the region provides.
  • ITS America appoints new technical editor
    April 24, 2013
    ITS America has chosen Dr John Miles as technical editor for a new web-based resource on ITS. With funding from the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), the society plans to publish in mid-2014 in partnership with the World Road Association (PIARC) on the latter’s website.
  • Vitronic showcases traffic enforcement technology at Intertraffic
    March 24, 2014
    At this year’s Intertraffic, traffic safety and toll collection specialist Vitronic is presenting a range of new products from its traffic enforcement line-up and showcasing the future of LIDAR speed enforcement. For the first time ever, visitors to the Vitronic stand will be able to see a brand new version of Vitronic’s design classic for stationary speed and red light enforcement that significantly reduces total cost of ownership and allows operation in high temperature areas without the need for active c
  • Flir certified system engineer: automatic incident detection and traffic data collection
    January 26, 2017
    Flir is offering two-day training course on incident detection and data collection from 22-23 March at the Novotel in Bruges, Belgium. The interactive and hands-on training aims to provide participants with the ability be able to select the right camera for a project (analogue, IP, thermal), configure the detection boards on a fundamental level and manage received events and data from the detectors. More details and registration information are available on the Flir website. (link http://www.flir.eu/