Abu Dhabi is set to introduce self-driving Urbanloop pods on its streets by the end of this year, officials announced at the Global Rail conference. The next-generation autonomous system aims to provide safer, faster, and more efficient urban transport for daily commuters.
Sebastian Mangeant, CEO of Abu Dhabi Transport Company (ADT), confirmed that the city is moving forward with its partnership with Urbanloop. “By the end of this year and into next year, we’ll have a moving system ready for business,” he said during a panel discussion on Tuesday.
A prototype of the capsule pods, designed for passenger transport, was displayed at ADT’s exhibition stand. The pods can carry up to eight passengers—four seated and four standing. Larger and smaller versions are also available, ranging from two to ten passengers, and are equipped to accommodate bicycles and wheelchairs.
Testing of the driverless system is currently underway on Reem Island, adapted for Abu Dhabi’s heat and dusty conditions. While operating at 20 km/h locally, the system can reach speeds of up to 50 km/h, as demonstrated in France, according to an ADT representative.
Urbanloop’s design allows pods to bypass stations and reach their destinations directly, alleviating congestion. “There will be two parallel tracks. At each station, four or five pods will wait. Passengers can choose their destination, and the pod can bypass intermediate stops if needed,” a representative explained.
The system has already been deployed at the Paris Olympics, transporting over 30,000 passengers along a 2-kilometre route. Its quick installation requires minimal infrastructure and roadwork, and its low power consumption aligns with the UAE’s sustainability goals.
Experts suggest that Urbanloop could play a crucial role in Abu Dhabi’s car-light future by providing first-and last-mile connectivity to Etihad Rail passengers. Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Smart Solutions at Space 42, highlighted the potential of shifting commuters from private cars to shared autonomous vehicles.
Mangeant acknowledged the challenge of changing public behavior but emphasized the importance of a connected and convenient public transport network. Current speeds of around 20 km/h in mixed traffic may improve with sandbox testing and pilot expansions, offering a more efficient last-mile solution.
“By demonstrating reliable, interconnected, and high-performing systems, we can encourage people to rely on public transport instead of private vehicles,” Mangeant added. Abu Dhabi’s push for autonomous transport marks a bold step toward modern, sustainable urban mobility.