From air taxis to trackless trams: Dubai unveils 11 AI-powered transport innovations at GITEX 2025
Inside RTA’s showcase of intelligent systems shaping tomorrow’s mobility
DUBAI has unveiled 11 cutting-edge artificial intelligence innovations that promise to redefine the future of mobility.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the initiatives ahead of GITEX Global 2025, taking place from 13 to 17 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre, where over 6,800 companies from 180 countries are gathering to showcase next-generation technologies.
Among the highlights are autonomous aerial taxis, AI-powered rail inspections, and the Trackless Tram, signalling Dubai’s ambition to become the world’s most advanced urban mobility hub.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA, said the projects reflect the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to position Dubai as “the smartest and happiest city in the world.”
Al Tayer said RTA’s strategy aims to integrate AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data into every aspect of transport to enhance safety, efficiency, and the commuter experience.
Each of the 11 initiatives represents a key pillar in Dubai’s AI transformation strategy, designed to deliver predictive, proactive, and sustainable transport solutions.
Smart Vehicle Network
The Smart Vehicle Network stands at the heart of Dubai’s intelligent traffic management system. Developed at the Dubai Intelligent Traffic Systems Centre, the network leverages Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) to predict and manage traffic flows in real time.
By enabling seamless data exchange between vehicles and road infrastructure, it has already reduced traffic delays by 25 percent and cut operational costs by up to 30 percent, offering a glimpse into a future where vehicles communicate to keep roads safer and smoother.
AutoCheck 360
AutoCheck 360 revolutionises vehicle inspections through AI, computer vision, and IoT sensors. The fully automated system reduces inspection time from 17 minutes to just seven, minimising human error and standardising safety checks across the city.
Deployed across RTA inspection centres, it strengthens road safety and enhances operational efficiency – another milestone in Dubai’s smart governance approach.
Aerial Taxi (Joby S4)
Perhaps the most anticipated of all, Dubai’s aerial taxi service has entered its trial phase using the Joby S4 electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
Once fully operational in 2026, a trip from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah will take just 10 minutes, compared to around 45 minutes by road.
The air taxi network will be integrated with the city’s public transport ecosystem, including metro, tram, and e-scooter services, creating a seamless and sustainable travel experience across the emirate.
Smart Mobility Platform for Safe Cities
The Smart Mobility Platform for Safe Cities uses AI and IoT to monitor delivery bikes, school buses, and commercial fleets.
By analysing data on driver behaviour, routes, and speed, the platform identifies unsafe practices and triggers immediate responses to improve public safety.
It exemplifies how predictive analytics can transform everyday mobility into a data-driven system that saves lives and enhances accountability on the road.
Trackless Tram
The Trackless Tram represents a bold step towards flexible, eco-friendly public transport. Operating without fixed rails, it relies on optical navigation, GPS, and LiDAR to follow virtual routes while detecting obstacles in real time.
Each tram will include three carriages accommodating up to 300 passengers, reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h on a single electric charge covering 100 km.
The tram’s low construction cost and quick deployment make it an ideal solution for expanding Dubai’s transit network sustainably.
Safe Tracks Rail Inspection System (ARIIS)
The Automated Rail Inspection and Intelligent System (ARIIS) uses laser scanning and computer vision to identify rail defects with microscopic precision.
By reducing inspection times by 70 percent, ARIIS ensures smoother and safer metro operations while preventing costly maintenance delays.
It stands as one of the most advanced AI-driven rail safety systems in the region, underpinning Dubai Metro’s reputation as one of the world’s safest driverless networks.
Smart Digital Channels
RTA’s Smart Digital Channels integrate services under its flagship S’hail and RTA Dubai apps, offering real-time access to trip planning, nol card management, taxi bookings, and parking permits.
Through smartwatch notifications and interactive kiosks, passengers receive live assistance and travel updates, streamlining their mobility experience across public and private transport modes.
These digital interfaces bring Dubai closer to a fully unified transport ecosystem powered by automation and convenience.
AI Factory
The AI Factory serves as RTA’s innovation lab, bringing together data scientists and engineers to develop self-learning systems that optimise operations and predict transport demand.
The facility transforms raw data into actionable insights, supporting the development of intelligent, self-adaptive mobility tools.
It also functions as a training and research hub, ensuring that RTA continues to build in-house expertise in advanced machine learning and AI deployment.
Digital Mobility Ecosystem
The Digital Mobility Ecosystem combines all of RTA’s mobility solutions into a cohesive digital environment.
At its core are the S’hail and RTA Dubai apps, which consolidate real-time navigation, payments, and service updates.
Linked with RTA’s backend AI systems, these apps support multimodal travel, enabling commuters to move across the metro, trams, taxis, and e-scooters with a single interface.
Dubai Mobility Lab
The Dubai Mobility Lab functions as a live testing ground for smart transport technologies.
It allows RTA to model and simulate traffic behaviour, analyse autonomous vehicle performance, and evaluate new systems before large-scale rollout.
This lab-driven approach accelerates innovation while ensuring that every smart mobility solution meets Dubai’s safety and sustainability benchmarks.
Smart Traffic Solutions Platform
RTA’s Smart Traffic Solutions Platform brings together big data analytics and AI-based prediction models to improve citywide traffic flow.
By monitoring congestion in real time, it identifies bottlenecks and enables rapid interventions to reduce delays and emissions.
The platform also contributes to more efficient public transport scheduling and supports Dubai’s long-term goal of a 20 percent reduction in carbon footprint from mobility sources.
When will these innovations transform Dubai’s mobility?
The phased rollout of RTA’s AI-driven projects will continue through 2026, aligning with Dubai’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2030.
This long-term roadmap aims to make Dubai a global benchmark for AI-powered mobility, combining sustainability, efficiency, and human-centric design.
At GITEX 2025, visitors can experience these innovations first-hand at RTA’s pavilion – from interactive AI kiosks and smart inspection robots to simulated air taxi rides – offering a glimpse into a future where technology not only connects the city but also anticipates its every move.
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