Table of Contents
From Pioneering Pods to Level 4 Autonomy
2008 — Masdar City Breaks Ground
- Construction begins in Masdar City, envisioned as a sustainable urban innovation hub with clean transport at its core.
2010 — Launch of PRT EV System
- Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) pods begin operation in Masdar City.
- One of the world’s first commercial autonomous EV fleets in a real-world setting.
2014–2017 — Expansion of EV Charging Infrastructure
- Abu Dhabi Department of Energy and utilities begin laying groundwork for public and private EV charging stations.
2018 — Pilot UAV Deliveries and Smart Parking Projects
- Smart parking sensors deployed in central Abu Dhabi.
- UAE civil aviation authorities begin formal regulatory review for drone logistics.
2019 — MBZUAI Established
- Mohamed bin Zayed University of AI (MBZUAI) opens to accelerate AI research, including mobility AI and perception systems.
2020 — The Catalyst Accelerator Scales Cleantech Mobility Startups
- Masdar’s cleantech accelerator The Catalyst begins accepting mobility-focused startups with EV/AV solutions.
2021 — AI-Enabled Traffic and Public Transport Systems Piloted
- Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) launches digital control rooms, dynamic signal systems, and bus tracking.
2022 — EV Adoption Push + Roadmap to Net Zero 2050
- UAE commits to Net Zero by 2050.
- Masdar City expands EV fleet, charging infrastructure and policy incentives.
2023 (Oct) — SAVI Cluster Announced
- Abu Dhabi launches SAVI (Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries) cluster in Masdar City.
- Designed to support testing, certification, and scaling of AVs, UAVs, and maritime autonomy.
2024 — Regulatory Sandbox for Autonomous Vehicles Rolled Out
- Designated testbed zones in Masdar and surrounding areas formalized.
2025 (June–July) — Level 4 AV Trials Begin in Masdar City
- Driverless electric shuttles (Level 4 autonomy) operate on a 2.4 km route in Masdar City.
- Managed remotely with the goal of fully autonomous public transport integration.
Read: AV Trials in Masdar City
2026 (Planned) — Wider Commercial Certification via SAVI
- Certification pathways for AVs, drones, and EV software formalized under SAVI’s compliance lab and Masdar City Free Zone.
- Expansion of smart mobility zones across Abu Dhabi mainland is expected.
Coming Soon
- Public-private investment funds for AV startups
- Multimodal EV hubs combining ride-sharing, delivery, and logistics
- Full legal framework for Level 4/5 AVs in the UAE
Benoy Jacob is a journalist-turned-business consultant, currently serving as the Director of Client Relations at ATB Corporate in Abu Dhabi. With a keen eye for market trends and business strategy, he helps companies expand, build strategic partnerships, and optimize their operations in the UAE. Benoy brings a unique perspective on economic policies, trade ecosystems, and investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi and the wider MENA region.