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UAE approves first licence for self-driving cars

Company will test different types of autonomous vehicles that will redefine the future of mobility in the UAE

Published: Mon 3 Jul 2023, 3:43 PM

Updated: Mon 3 Jul 2023, 11:22 PM

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The UAE has approved the first national licence of its kind for self-driving vehicles to run on the country’s roads. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, posted on Twitter that WeRide has been granted the preliminary licence.

This came as Sheikh Mohammed chaired a UAE Cabinet meeting on Monday. “The company will begin testing all types of autonomous vehicles in the country, reflecting a change in the country's future mobility patterns,” he tweeted.

According to its website, the company is headquartered in Guangzhou, China, with centres in Abu Dhabi, among other cities. It conducts autonomous driving research and operations in over 26 cities around the world.

The company’s products include robotaxis, robobuses, robovans (for delivery services) and robosweepers that can operate 24 hours a day “under any weather conditions”.

Services include online ride-hailing, on-demand transport and urban logistics.

National network of e-vehicle chargers

Sheikh Mohammed also announced the approval of a federal electric vehicles policy. It aims to build a national network of electric vehicle chargers, regulate the market and promote associated industries to ensure lower emissions and energy consumption.

The policy will contribute in reducing energy consumption in the transport sector by 20 per cent.

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