Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a four-week trial of the Glydways driverless pod system on Bluewaters Island. The small electric pods run on dedicated guideways, and the trial is meant to assess whether the system can deliver safe, reliable journeys and be integrated into Dubai's existing public transport network.
RTA says the technology is designed specifically for first- and last-mile travel, the short stretch between public transit stations and final destinations such as homes, offices or attractions, a gap commonly covered today by long walks or private vehicles.
Alongside the Bluewaters trial, RTA is studying potential future routes in other parts of the city, including a possible 2.8-kilometre route linking National Paints Metro Station to Bluewaters. Dubai residents who have learned about the plan have expressed optimism that the pods could cut commute times.
If the trial proves successful, the system could become a complementary layer to Dubai's metro and public buses, reaching areas the main transit lines don't directly serve, and marking another step in the emirate's push toward autonomous mobility.