Imagine going to work in a driverless, electric pod?

Dubai: Public transport in Dubai is set to move to the next level with the introduction of the region’s first self-driving, battery-powered electric pods.

The launch of the driverless pods, which can move individually or by attaching themselves to other pods in a bus-like structure, was announced by Careem, an app-based taxi booking service in partnership with Next Future Transportation, a tech start-up from the US, this week.

The Next self-driving electric pods will operate as a mass transportation system shuttling people from door to door.

Green solution

The pods have been designed to pick passengers up on demand and link together in a bus-like form on the journey to get each person from point A to point B as efficiently as possible.

Mudassir Shaikha, co-founder and managing director of Careem, said the innovative mass transit system is a green solution and in line with the emirate’s goal of making 25 per cent of all transportation trips in Dubai smart and driverless by 2030.

“Together, Careem and Next are co-innovating to help solve some of today’s more troubling mass transit problems, including minimising congestion and pollution. Additionally, by providing personalised pick-up and drop-off of users, Next and Careem will help make daily commute more efficient and quick.”