Abu Dhabi's Integrated Transport Centre Unveils MENA's First Autonomous Vehicle Test Hub For Smart Mobility

The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), linked to the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has unveiled plans for the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Vehicle Test Hub. This initiative, a first in the Middle East and North Africa, is being developed with Space42, Masdar City, and Emirates Driving Company. The announcement was made at DRIFTx 2025 during the inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week.

Phase one of this project involves studies and design work, set to conclude by late 2026. This phase will lay the groundwork for a sophisticated facility dedicated to autonomous driving technologies in the UAE. The hub aims to bolster national capabilities in developing, testing, and accrediting smart mobility solutions.

The hub will serve as a world-class facility for testing and certifying autonomous vehicle technologies. It aligns with Abu Dhabi's digital transformation goals and the UAE's strategies for AI and smart cities. This initiative reinforces Abu Dhabi's status as a leader in smart mobility, supported by advanced infrastructure and progressive regulations.

Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of ITC, stated: "Establishing the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Vehicle Test Hub for smart and autonomous mobility is a significant step towards a fully integrated ecosystem for developing and deploying self-driving technologies to the highest standards of safety and innovation."

The facility will feature an advanced testing environment that mimics various operating conditions found in city centres, suburban areas, and mixed-use environments. It will include advanced sensing networks, digital-twin capabilities, real-time monitoring, and data-analytics systems to ensure seamless integration with Abu Dhabi’s digital platforms.

This integration includes systems like the Autonomous Vehicles Integrated Testing, Operations and Management System (AViTOMS), enhancing operational safety and decision-making efficiency. The hub will also facilitate knowledge exchange by training engineers in smart mobility systems.

Collaboration Across Sectors

Khalid Al Shemeili, CEO of Emirates Driving Company (EDC), praised this development as it aligns with their vision for future foresight in smart mobility within transportation. He acknowledged ITC's role since 2021 in qualifying safety supervisors working in the vehicle sector through collaborative efforts.

Ahmed Baghoum, CEO of Masdar City, commented: "Masdar City serves as a testbed for innovation where autonomy moves from concept to reality. Our Free Zone is where ambition meets execution." He invited global manufacturers to use Masdar City as their base for building next-generation autonomous systems.

Strategic Partnerships

The hub will foster collaboration with global companies, universities, and research institutions. It opens opportunities for pilot projects and joint initiatives aimed at bringing smart mobility solutions to life in Abu Dhabi. This reflects ITC’s commitment to advancing frameworks that support safe adoption of these technologies.

This project embodies Abu Dhabi’s vision to become a global centre for developing smart mobility technologies while driving innovation across the transport sector. It underscores strategic collaboration between public, private, and academic sectors to enhance quality of life through digital transformation.

With inputs from WAM