Dubai RTA begins four-week trial of driverless Glydways electric pods at Bluewaters

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Dubai RTA begins four-week trial of driverless Glydways electric pods at Bluewaters

13 October 2026

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a four-week trial of the Glydways automated transit system at Bluewaters.
Each AI-powered electric pod carries four to six passengers, travels at up to 50 km/h and has a range of up to 250 km on one charge.
Every pod has 20 high-resolution LiDAR sensors, radar and high-definition cameras, and runs on dedicated routes that can be built at ground level or elevated.
The system is designed to carry more than 20,000 passengers per hour in both directions.
The developers say capital costs are up to 90 per cent lower and operating costs up to 70 per cent lower than comparable transport systems.
RTA director general Mattar Al Tayer took the first ride on the designated route.

Trial length: four weeks Capacity: more than 20,000 passengers per hour Range per charge: up to 250 km

Why it matters for exams: Autonomous transport trials and the authority behind them are standard science-and-technology current-affairs material for a Gulf country.

Kerala PSCUPSC

13 October 2026 Source: The National

In plain words

RTA Roads and Transport Authority — Dubai's government body for roads and public transport.

LiDAR Light Detection and Ranging — A laser sensor that maps the surroundings of a self-driving vehicle.