Space42 Leverages V2X Technologies to Enhance Autonomous Vehicle Infrastructure in the UAE

Space42, an AI-driven SpaceTech firm from the UAE, and South Korea's Autonomous A2Z have formed a joint venture to enhance autonomous vehicle technologies in the UAE. This initiative was announced before DRIFTx during Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week 2025.

The collaboration stems from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier in October, transitioning from partnership to execution due to the rising demand for scalable autonomous mobility solutions.

The venture aims to broaden access to Level-4 autonomous vehicles, retrofit existing fleets with self-driving capabilities, and deliver vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technologies. These efforts are intended to promote safe, intelligent, and commercially viable driverless mobility across the region.

Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Smart Solutions at Space42, stated that this joint venture is a strategic step towards achieving Autonomy 2.0. He said it represents the UAE's next phase of intelligent and data-driven mobility. "Our joint venture is another strategic step in realizing Autonomy 2.0, the UAE's next phase of intelligent, adaptive, and data-driven mobility. It embodies our vision to establish sovereign autonomy infrastructure built on data, AI, and world-class safety standards. Together, we are enabling technologies that will shape the UAE's mobility ecosystem and position the nation at the forefront of global mobility innovation."

Jihyeong Han, CEO of Autonomous A2Z, highlighted their commitment to advancing large-scale autonomous mobility in the UAE through this collaboration. "Autonomous A2Z, South Korea's leading autonomous driving company that drew global attention with its advanced technology at APEC 2025, is taking a decisive step toward realizing large-scale autonomous mobility in the UAE through this joint venture. Together with Space42, the company aims to build a safe and reliable autonomous driving environment and infrastructure, fostering innovation in the UAE's autonomous ecosystem and accelerating the nation's transition to sustainable mobility."

The partnership introduces a retrofit-first model for rapid adoption of autonomous systems by converting existing vehicles into self-driving units. This approach allows governments and fleet operators to integrate autonomy without replacing major assets. It opens opportunities across sectors like public transport, logistics, industrial zones, airports, tourist destinations, and municipal services.

The joint venture has outlined a roadmap from pilot implementation to full-scale commercialization. Initial activities will focus on pilot projects and early fleet conversions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai using five autonomous vehicles. As operations expand, Space42 and A2Z will establish a local workshop and R&D program for regional manufacturing.

This collaboration aligns with Dubai's aim for 25% of all trips to be autonomous by 2030 and Abu Dhabi's similar target by 2040. The venture will work closely with entities like Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster to develop frameworks for large-scale deployment.

Space42 has been instrumental in advancing V2X technologies through its partnership with e&. Their Sovereign Mobility Cloud provides essential digital infrastructure for mapping and traffic management. Collaborations with Dynamic Map Platform and General Motors further strengthen their next-generation systems.

Autonomous A2Z leads South Korea’s development of Level-4 autonomy components such as software and sensors. As Korea’s official operator for APEC 2025’s driverless operations showcase, they hold an extensive track record in Korea’s autonomous driving sector.

A2Z has expanded globally into Singapore and Japan while ranking 11th among global companies on Guidehouse Insights' Leaderboard for 2024. Their integration of AI with high-definition mapping supports their trusted ecosystem.

The joint venture leverages A2Z’s proven experience to accelerate smart mobility initiatives within the UAE.

This collaboration between Space42 and Autonomous A2Z marks significant progress towards achieving scalable autonomous transformation across key sectors in the UAE while supporting national goals for smart mobility advancements.