Abu Dhabi approves world’s first modular smart vehicles

Abu Dhabi: In a global first, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), under the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has officially recognised modular smart vehicles as a new and independent vehicle category on its roads. The announcement was made during the “Drift X 2025” exhibition, part of the inaugural “Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Week,” organised by the Autonomous Systems Council.

The vehicles, developed by NExT, are intelligent, reconfigurable units that can link or separate based on operational needs. This step marks a major moment in transport policy, positioning Abu Dhabi at the forefront of innovative mobility.

The decision is based on a strong scientific foundation backed by published research from international institutions in New York and Abu Dhabi, along with global awards and field trials. These studies show clear benefits in improving road efficiency, supporting sustainability, and increasing the flexibility of urban mobility networks.

Modular vehicles stand out for their ability to adapt in real time. Units can connect or disconnect depending on passenger numbers or specific use cases. This flexibility helps ease traffic, reduce congestion and cut carbon emissions.

The ITC is leading the rollout in partnership with Emirates Driving Company, Liftango, and Paradigma Innovation. Together, they will run the world’s first pilot deployment of multi-unit modular smart vehicles on Yas Island, opening the door to a new era of intelligent mobility in the capital.

Beyond improving road operations, these vehicles will act as a bridge to more advanced smart-operation and remote-control systems. This forms part of the ITC’s wider plan to expand autonomous mobility across Abu Dhabi.

The decision follows broad testing efforts. As of October 2025, WeRide’s autonomous taxis had completed more than 800,000 kilometres in Abu Dhabi, with each vehicle carrying out up to 20 trips within a 12-hour operational window.

Dr Abdullah Hamad Al Ghafli, Acting Director-General of the ITC, said: “The Integrated Transport Centre continues to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for innovative mobility technologies. Recognising modular smart vehicles as a new category is a strategic move that supports the emirate’s shift toward a more integrated and intelligent mobility system.”

Antonio Guadagnino, Chief Information Officer at NExT, added: “We are proud to work with the ITC to deliver a solution that can be deployed immediately without new infrastructure. It offers strong potential to ease congestion and improve first- and last-mile services—key issues shaping the future of mobility.”

Abu Dhabi continues to cement its global leadership in smart transport through ambitious visions and strategic partnerships, boosting its position as a top destination for innovation in future mobility and sustainable solutions.

Just two days earlier, the ITC announced the start of full commercial operations for Level 4 fully autonomous vehicles during “Drift X 2025.” This is the first deployment of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa.

As part of this move, the ITC granted the first two operational permits for commercial autonomous vehicles. WeRide will lead the initial pilot phase with Uber and Tawasol, while AutoGo–K2 will operate in partnership with ApolloGo–Baidu. Both received full safety and readiness approvals after completing a rigorous multi-stage testing programme assessing performance, sensor systems, and responsiveness in real-world Abu Dhabi traffic.