Self-driving pods could start carrying passengers across Abu Dhabi by the end of this year, officials confirmed. The project aims to provide commuters with a faster, safer, and greener alternative to cars.
Sebastian Mangeant, CEO of Abu Dhabi Transport Company (ADT), confirmed that the futuristic pods are in the final stage of testing.
Speaking at the Global Rail conference in Abu Dhabi, he said: “We decided a year ago that we would go into partnership with [Urbanloop]. A year later, we have the module on the stand, and by the end of this year and toward next year, we’ll have a moving system, which we’ll be ready for business.”
A prototype of the driverless pod was displayed at the event. The model can take up to eight people, four seated and four standing while larger and smaller versions will also be available, ranging from two to ten passengers. The pods are designed to be bicycle- and wheelchair-friendly.
What makes Urbanloop unique is that it can bypass stations and head directly to the chosen destination using two parallel tracks. In addition, Minimal infrastructure is required, making it faster and easier to set up compared to traditional transport systems. The system consumes less power, supporting Abu Dhabi’s climate and sustainability goals.
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Experts believe Urbanloop could become a key part of first and last-mile transport in Abu Dhabi, especially when linked with the Etihad Rail project.
With these developments, Abu Dhabi could be moving closer to a car-light future where smart, eco-friendly transport becomes the preferred choice for daily travel.
