By Staff Reporter
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that the fifth edition of the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport will take place in 2027, spotlighting the theme of Smart Integrated Infrastructure.
The competition will call on global companies to design systems that combine sensors, connectivity and data analytics to boost efficiency, sustainability and performance in urban mobility and public services.
The announcement was made by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, during the closing of the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport 2025 at Dubai World Trade Centre. The event drew more than 3,000 participants and featured over 80 speakers, including senior officials, experts and technology developers.
Alongside the congress, RTA signed four agreements with Emaar Properties, Al-Futtaim Group, and the winners of the 2025 challenge — the WeRide and Deutsche Bahn consortium, and Zelos Technology. These agreements cover testing and showcasing autonomous transport technologies across Dubai locations such as Festival City and Creek Harbour.
Al Tayer said the initiatives reflect Dubai’s ambition to become the world’s smartest city and a global testbed for future mobility. He stressed that investment in self-driving transport forms a key part of the emirate’s digital transformation strategy, aimed at improving quality of life, enhancing road safety and reducing reliance on private vehicles.
By placing smart infrastructure at the centre of its next global challenge, Dubai continues to position itself at the forefront of innovation in autonomous mobility.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
