Dubai has launched a new autonomous vehicle testing centre at Dubai Silicon Oasis, combining controlled test tracks with trials on public roads as part of the emirate’s drive to advance driverless transport.

Dubai Mobility Labs was inaugurated by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in partnership with the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ). It has been described as the smartest integrated ground-testing facility of its kind in the Middle East.

The centre was established to enable companies, technology developers and research institutions to test, assess and certify autonomous vehicle and future mobility technologies before their commercial deployment on Dubai’s roads.

The project supports the Dubai Smart and Autonomous Transportation Strategy, which aims to make 25% of all transport journeys in Dubai autonomous by 2030.

🟢 Autonomous vehicles tested across 248 scenarios

Located in Dubai Silicon Oasis, DIEZ’s specialised economic zone for knowledge and innovation, the facility includes dedicated test tracks and a multipurpose area designed to simulate a range of traffic conditions.

Tests can also be conducted on public roads along a route extending from Dubai Silicon Oasis to Al Qudra, allowing vehicle performance to be assessed in real-world road conditions as well as controlled environments.

The full testing programme comprises 248 scenarios, 195 of which are conducted in the multipurpose area. Of these, 143 were included in the facility’s original design, while a further 52 were added during design enhancements.

The scenarios allow developers to assess how autonomous vehicles detect their surroundings, make decisions, interact with other road users and respond to changing traffic and environmental conditions.

The centre also features administrative and support areas, three light industrial units for operations and internal facilities, and three 60-kilowatt electric vehicle chargers.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, said the centre marked a step towards establishing Dubai as a testing ground for the next generation of mobility technologies.

“The launch of Dubai Mobility Labs is a practical embodiment of the leadership’s directives to strengthen Dubai’s position in developing and deploying future technologies and to establish it as a global model for smart and autonomous mobility,” he said.

According to Al Tayer, the centre enables technologies to be tested in controlled environments and real-world conditions before they are introduced on public roads.

“As the smartest integrated ground-testing facility of its kind in the region, the project provides strategic infrastructure for testing the latest mobility technologies and systems in controlled and real-world environments, assessing their safety, efficiency and readiness before deployment on public roads,” he added.

Al Tayer also stressed that the laboratory would provide an integrated pathway from the early stages of technology development through to commercial deployment.

He said the facility would enable technologies to be developed, tested, validated and certified, supporting their safe and structured transition from trials to real-world commercial use. The project will also enhance the readiness of Dubai’s infrastructure and its technical and regulatory frameworks to adopt the next generation of mobility solutions.

🟢 From test tracks to Dubai’s roads

The centre has already hosted tests of autonomous technologies and vehicles developed by international companies, including WeRide, Pony.ai and Tesla.

Combining testing in controlled environments with trials on public roads allows developers to assess their systems under more complex conditions and gather the necessary results before wider deployment.

Al Tayer said the project’s broader objective was to create a shared ecosystem for vehicle manufacturers, technology companies, start-ups, researchers and regulators.

He added that the laboratory would also support Dubai’s efforts to attract investment and specialised talent while strengthening its technology and innovation economy.

Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ, also linked the project to Dubai’s broader economic plans and the development of future-focused industries.

“Dubai Mobility Labs advances the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which seeks to build a globally competitive economy driven by knowledge and innovation and strengthen Dubai’s position as a hub for future industries. The centre provides global innovators with an integrated environment in which to develop and test autonomous mobility technologies,” he said.

Al Zarooni added that Dubai Silicon Oasis would provide the infrastructure and ecosystem needed to help companies move their technologies from testing to practical deployment.

“Dubai Silicon Oasis provides an integrated environment for developing and testing advanced technology solutions, supported by smart infrastructure and a comprehensive ecosystem that helps accelerate the development of autonomous mobility technologies and their transition from testing to deployment,” he said.

🟢 Testing under real-world conditions

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has appointed DEKRA to manage Dubai Mobility Labs during its first three years of operation.

The company will be responsible for managing daily operations, coordinating tests, overseeing the facilities and ensuring compliance with international safety standards and operational practices.

The laboratories provide companies with a structured pathway to test and validate their technologies in Dubai while supporting the emirate’s goal of increasing the share of autonomous transport in daily journeys.