Digital Maps Are Being Created For Taxies To Go Driverless Next Year

The year 2023 is a year of many possibilities as there are a lot of positive changes that are taking place.

One such change is that a digital map is being created for driverless taxies in Dubai. In March, the RTA announced plans to begin the testing of driverless taxis as part of the partnership with Cruise, which would initially have 10 vehicles in operation.

Two Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles, equipped with sensors and cameras are to be used to prepare digital maps for the self-driving vehicles. The RTA said that the Cruise vehicles would initially be used in Jumeirah and driven by specialist drivers.

Cruise’s technology uses a high-resolution map of the physical environment, which is created using mapping vehicles equipped with sensors including Lidar (Light detection and ranging) and cameras. They will be driven throughout the city to collect data, which will then be used to create and maintain a navigable map for autonomous vehicles.

Cruise is launching its first international robotaxi service outside the US in Dubai, in a deal announced by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, on Twitter in April 2021.

“Dubai will be the first outside America to operate self-driving Cruise vehicles, in fulfilment of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s vision that Dubai is always in first place and the best city to live and work,” Sheikh Hamdan said at the time.

The launch of driverless taxis is part of a long-term vision to make 25 per cent of total trips autonomous across various modes of transport by 2030. It is expected that by then, 4,000 driverless taxies will be in operation in Dubai.

“The agreement, which is the first of its kind worldwide between a government entity and a leading company in the field of autonomous vehicles, is a major step toward realising Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy,” said the RTA on Twitter.

All vehicles will be eco-friendly electric vehicles. This would be in line with the UAE’s goals to achieve net-zero and reduce carbon emissions. This technical service is being launched from Dubai and may potentially spread to all areas of the emirate.

This is an obvious step in the right direction as 90% road accidents are caused by human error and autonomous vehicles will help boost road traffic safety levels. This initiative helps in keeping the people and the environment safe at the same time. What more could we ask for?