Abu Dhabi Transport supervises Tesla’s first road tests of advanced self-driving technology

With the support of the Intelligent Autonomous Systems Council, the Integrated Transport Center “Abu Dhabi Transport” is supervising the implementation of the first tests of Tesla’s advanced “driver-supervised” self-driving technology on a number of roads in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, in a step considered the first of its kind in the emirate, and within an organized framework aimed at evaluating the technology’s performance in a realistic operating environment, and verifying its readiness in terms of safety and operation.

These tests are carried out in coordination with the Legislation Laboratory in the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, which reflects strategic cooperation in supporting innovation within approved regulatory frameworks, and contributes to establishing an advanced framework for testing assistive and advanced driving technologies in the region, while ensuring a balance between safety requirements and encouraging the adoption of modern technologies.

Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Center “Abu Dhabi Transport”, Dr. Abdullah Hamad Al Ghafli, said: “The Integrated Transport Center’s supervision of the start of tests of Tesla’s advanced self-driving technology comes within its commitment to its regulatory and legislative role, as these tests represent a qualitative step to evaluate the performance of the technology in a realistic operating environment, and collect the necessary data to verify its readiness before any future expansion in the scope of use.”

He added: “Through this organized framework, and in cooperation with strategic partners, we are keen to achieve a balance between supporting innovation and encouraging the adoption of smart solutions on the one hand, and ensuring the safety of road users on the other hand, which is consistent with the emirate’s directions in developing an advanced, safe and sustainable transportation system.”

This program constitutes a supportive step for the efforts of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to evaluate advanced technologies and enhance its readiness to adopt future mobility solutions in accordance with approved safety requirements, which is consistent with the emirate’s trends in developing an advanced and safe transportation system.