The Integrated Transport Center (ITC), an affiliate of the Ministry of Local Government and Transport, announced the start of “fully autonomous (supervised)” road testing of Tesla cars under driver supervision in Abu Dhabi.
This is a first for the emirate and is being conducted within an organizational framework designed to assess the performance of the technology in real operating conditions and verify its operational and safety readiness.
The trial is being conducted in collaboration with the Legislative Laboratory of the UAE Cabinet Secretariat as part of efforts to support innovation within an approved regulatory framework. The initiative also aims to establish an advanced model for testing driver assistance and advanced driving technologies in the region, balancing safety requirements with the introduction of new technologies.
“The ITC’s oversight of the initiation of Tesla’s advanced self-driving technology tests reflects its regulatory and legislative role. These tests serve as a qualitative step to collect the data necessary to assess the technology’s performance in real-world operating environments and validate its readiness prior to expanded use in the future,” said ITC Acting Director-General Dr. Abdullah Hamad Alghferi.
He added that through this structured framework, in collaboration with strategic partners, the Center aims to strike a careful balance between supporting innovation and accelerating the adoption of smart solutions, while ensuring the safety of road users, in line with the emirate’s vision of developing an advanced, safe and sustainable transport system.
