Dubai Gears Up for 2025 Self-Driving Transport Congress

Dubai continues its ambitious journey toward becoming a global leader in autonomous mobility with the announcement of the fourth edition of the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport. The event, organised by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), is scheduled to take place from 24 to 25 September 2025 and will bring together global experts, industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers. Held under the theme “Redefining Mobility: The Path to Autonomy,” the Congress underscores Dubai’s commitment to revolutionising urban mobility and integrating cutting-edge autonomous technologies across all transportation modes.

The event takes place under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai. It marks another strategic step in aligning with the city’s vision to enhance sustainability, innovation, and smart mobility.

A Global Platform for Self-Driving Innovations

The fourth edition of the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport builds on the momentum of its previous iterations, serving as a global hub for discussions and demonstrations of autonomous transportation technologies. By gathering participants from all over the world, the Congress continues to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders in the self-driving industry.

With the theme “Redefining Mobility: The Path to Autonomy,” the event highlights RTA’s commitment to transforming how people and goods move in and around cities. The Congress serves as a platform for showcasing the latest innovations, technological advancements, and practical applications that are reshaping mobility solutions globally.

In this edition, the Congress also expands the scope of its Self-Driving Challenge to include integrated transportation modes that combine multiple autonomous systems into a cohesive passenger service model. These advancements demonstrate how future mobility solutions can seamlessly bring together diverse transport technologies for a smarter and more efficient urban lifestyle.

Strategic Objectives and Global Participation

Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency and Chair of the Organising Committee for the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, emphasised the significance of the event in driving Dubai’s long-term strategic objectives in transportation innovation.

Bahrozyan highlighted that the Congress has evolved into a powerful global platform that consistently attracts leading local, regional, and international companies operating in the self-driving transport sector. According to him, it also appeals to a wide range of technology experts, innovators, government officials, investors, and industry specialists who converge to explore the latest breakthroughs in autonomous mobility.

He noted that the Congress is an essential opportunity for key decision-makers and developers to exchange insights, establish partnerships, and pave the way for real-world implementations of futuristic mobility systems.

Supporting Dubai’s 2030 Autonomous Transport Vision

The Congress is a vital part of Dubai’s roadmap to transforming 25% of its total transportation trips into autonomous modes by 2030. This vision, spearheaded by RTA and supported by top government leaders, is focused on enhancing sustainability, reducing environmental impact, improving safety, and elevating the commuter experience across the city.

By setting an ambitious target for autonomous transport adoption, Dubai continues to solidify its position as a global smart mobility hub. The Congress offers stakeholders the chance to align with the city’s goals, explore partnerships, and engage with pioneering research and development in this fast-evolving field.

Autonomous transport is also expected to play a significant role in alleviating traffic congestion, cutting down emissions, and offering more accessible and reliable transit options for all demographics. These benefits make the initiative a critical element in Dubai’s broader sustainability agenda and smart city blueprint.

Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport

One of the central highlights of the 2025 Congress will be the announcement of the winning consortium for the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport 2024. This challenge has become a sought-after competition, attracting global participation from companies and research institutions developing state-of-the-art autonomous mobility solutions.

The total prize for the winning consortium is $3 million, awarded to the entry that best demonstrates innovation, feasibility, and scalability in deploying integrated autonomous transport systems. This initiative encourages practical, forward-looking solutions and fosters competition that pushes the boundaries of what is possible in autonomous technology.

Participants in the challenge may compete either individually or as part of a consortium of multiple companies and entities. The aim is to combine several independent self-driving technologies into one cohesive and efficient service, streamlining how passengers experience automated transportation in real-world conditions.

This challenge reflects the broader goal of creating a unified autonomous transport ecosystem, where various modes—ranging from shuttles and buses to last-mile delivery robots—can interact seamlessly to support the city’s mobility infrastructure.

Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships in Technology

The Congress also represents a broader effort by the Dubai Government and the RTA to foster public-private collaboration in the realm of smart mobility. By offering a dedicated venue for showcasing innovations, companies gain exposure to potential clients, investors, and regulators.

Such partnerships are essential in turning experimental and pilot technologies into real-world services that benefit the wider community. Whether through vehicle automation software, sensors and LiDAR systems, fleet management solutions, or passenger interaction interfaces, businesses play a critical role in shaping the future of urban transport.

Dubai’s approach to collaboration encourages startups and established tech firms alike to participate in pilot projects and share data, accelerating the development cycle for autonomous vehicles. This open innovation environment has helped the city quickly adopt emerging technologies and adapt regulatory frameworks that keep pace with rapid industry changes.

Through events like the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, the city positions itself as a global testbed where companies can implement, refine, and scale up their autonomous solutions.

RTA’s Long-Term Strategy for Smart Mobility

Autonomous mobility is not just an isolated effort for the RTA; it is a key pillar of its overall strategy for smart mobility in the emirate. The authority has launched multiple initiatives designed to accelerate the deployment of self-driving technologies while ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and public acceptance.

From trial operations of autonomous taxis and shuttle buses to collaborations with tech startups and mobility giants, RTA has built a comprehensive ecosystem that encourages experimentation and growth. These efforts are supported by policies aimed at integrating autonomous solutions into urban planning and public transport frameworks.

Additionally, the RTA continues to invest in infrastructure enhancements that support the operation of self-driving vehicles, such as smart traffic signals, high-definition mapping, and advanced data analytics platforms that improve traffic management and safety monitoring.

RTA also focuses on public awareness campaigns to educate residents about autonomous technology benefits and safety measures, helping build trust and acceptance among the population.

The Path to a Sustainable, Autonomous Future

With sustainability and innovation at its core, Dubai’s investment in autonomous transport solutions reflects its broader ambitions to become one of the most advanced and livable cities in the world. The 2025 edition of the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport exemplifies this vision and creates a powerful avenue for change-makers to come together, discuss challenges, and develop the technologies that will shape mobility for generations to come.

By redefining the future of transportation under the unified theme “Redefining Mobility: The Path to Autonomy,” this Congress reaffirms the emirate’s leadership on the global stage and builds momentum toward achieving a smarter, more connected, and more sustainable future.

The Congress also anticipates featuring workshops, panel discussions, and live demonstrations, which will provide immersive experiences for participants. These elements allow stakeholders to witness firsthand the transformative impact of autonomous transport technologies and understand their integration into existing infrastructure.

Such immersive opportunities foster deeper insights and collaborations that will accelerate the deployment of autonomous solutions not only in Dubai but globally, further solidifying the emirate’s role as a pioneering leader in smart mobility.