In implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, to proceed with the partnership agreement between the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Cruise Inc. to operate Cruise autonomous vehicles to offer taxi and e-Hail ride services, His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, RTA; His Excellency Lieutenant-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police; His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA); and His Excellency JeffBleich, Chief Legal Officer of the American Cruise Inc. held a coordinative meeting to discuss the technical details related to the operation of Originautonomous vehicle.

The meeting discussed the key enablers that include specifications, standards, infrastructure, procurement plan as well as the operational aspects and developments related to the operation and production of Origin autonomous vehicle in San Francisco, as Dubai will be the global platform for operating this vehicle. Discussions also covered selecting the best locations in Dubai to start operating this first-of-its-kind service, based on some technical criteria highlighted by the readiness of the infrastructure and the anticipated demand for the service.

The meeting discussed RTA and Cruise’s preparations of digital maps of these self-driving vehicles such that the service will be ready for actual launch in 2023 rendering Dubai the first city outside the USA that operates Origin’s autonomous vehicles. The meeting also examined developing highly efficient battery systems to support the operation of these vehicles.

His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, said: “The operation of Cruise autonomous vehicles supports Dubai’s Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy which aims to convert 25% of the total mobility trips in Dubai into self-driving trips,on various transportation means by 2030 as well as RTA’s efforts to operate eco-friendly electric vehicles. Moreover, the deployment of self-driving vehicles provides innovative mobility solutions, reduces congestion in the city, and improves roads traffic safety. It also serves a large segment of customers, specifically senior citizens, residents and People of Determination.”

Jeff Bleich, Chief Legal Officer at Cruise, said:“The RTA shares our vision for a safer, cleaner, and more accessible transportation future and we’re excited to bring the Cruise Origin to our first international market in Dubai.”