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

  • Barnacle Parking unveils efficient enforcement system
    March 19, 2018
    Barnacle Parking is here at Intertraffic to launch the Barnacle, a revolutionary device which enables a more efficient parking enforcement system across the whole lifecycle of enforcement activities. As the name suggests, the bright yellow device sticks to the windshield using two suction cups with over 450 Kgs (1,000 lbs) of combined force providing a safer, faster and more efficient way for officials to immobilise vehicles. The device can simply be placed across the windshield, suctioned to the glass and
    Read More
  • Las Vegas approves Elon Musk tunnel plan
    March 14, 2019
    Hot on the heels of a similar plan in Los Angeles, serial entrepreneur Elon Musk has been given the green light to build underground ‘express-route’ tunnels in Las Vegas, US. The decision by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) will allow Musk’s The Boring Company (TBC) to construct and operate a people mover for the Las Vegas Convention Center. The service, expected to cost $35-$55 million, will operate via a loop of tunnels that could carry up to 11,000 passengers per hour in autono
    Read More
  • ChargePoint to provide EV chargers at Morrisons stores
    April 1, 2019
    ChargePoint Services is to install its GeniePoint Network electric vehicle (EV) chargers across all Morrisons supermarkets in the UK. ChargePoint says its 50-100kW rapid chargers will allow customers to refuel their EV in around 20 minutes. The firm’s managing director Alex Bamberg says: “By offering another useful local service, customers are provided with choice for grocery, café and comfort stops, and green vehicle refuelling.” The first chargers will be running by the end of this month and 100 are e
    Read More
  • Optex to exhibit Viik vehicle detectors
    March 20, 2018
    Optex will showcase two above ground ViiK vehicle detectors currently deployed in Europe, Middle East and Africa at Intertraffic. The solutions are said to be ideal for sites where ground loops cannot be installed, such as where the road surface is damaged, unsealed, paved with cobblestones or above drains or pipes. The OVS-01GT is said to be designed for gate, barrier or industrial door activation and combines microwave with ultrasonic technology to sense a vehicle’s movement and presence. It is suited f
    Read More

Highlighted Content