The Roads and Transport Authority and the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones announced the creation of Dubai Mobility Labs on Monday as a dedicated facility for the development and evaluation of autonomous transport solutions. The labs aim to attract technology companies and innovators seeking to test self-driving systems in a regulated environment tailored to Dubai’s urban landscape. According to the joint announcement the initiative supports the emirate’s broader strategy to integrate advanced mobility technologies while maintaining stringent safety standards.
Dubai Mobility Labs include simulation environments physical test tracks and data processing centers that enable comprehensive assessment of autonomous vehicles under controlled conditions. Participating firms gain access to regulatory guidance and infrastructure that accelerates the transition from concept to real-world application. The Roads and Transport Authority noted that the facility will foster collaboration between public authorities private developers and research institutions focused on next-generation transport.
RTA figures show Dubai has set a strategic goal of making 25 percent of all transportation trips autonomous by 2030. Recent RTA data from August 2026 places the robotaxi fleet at 144 vehicles including 48 in active service that have covered more than 4 million kilometres while completing 7613 passenger trips with 97 percent customer satisfaction. These operational results build on the testing capabilities the new labs are designed to expand.
A Strategy and Middle East report part of the PwC network projected that fully autonomous vehicles could unlock nearly 19 billion dollars in economic opportunity for GCC economies by 2035 with robo-taxis forming the largest segment. Marqstats industry analysis forecast the UAE robotaxi fleet to grow from 120 units in 2025 to 3360 by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate of 94.73 percent. The Dubai Mobility Labs will contribute to capturing that value by streamlining technology validation processes.
In the announcement Ahmed Bahrozyan CEO of the RTA Corporate Technology Support Services Sector and chair of the Autonomous Transport and Aerial Taxi Committee emphasised the labs role in achieving long-term mobility objectives. Bahrozyan stated the phased approach to testing ensures safety reliability and operational readiness before wider deployment. The RTA official added that defined zones within the labs allow validation under real-world conditions similar to those used in the ongoing robotaxi programme.
Public transport shared mobility services and taxis carried 348 million riders in the first half of 2026 according to RTA statistics with average daily ridership reaching 1.9 million passengers. The Roads and Transport Authority has partnered with operators including Baidu WeRide and Pony.ai to integrate autonomous solutions into the existing network. Dubai Mobility Labs will extend that cooperation by offering a centralised location for further innovation and regulatory alignment.
