Dubai Unveils Glydways: Driverless Electric Pod Network Set to Transform City’s Urban Mobility
DUBAI, UAE – In a bold stride toward the future of urban transport, Dubai has announced the launch of a revolutionary autonomous transit system, Glydways, aimed at solving the city’s last-mile connectivity challenges. Unveiled by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) at the World Government Summit 2026, the network of driverless electric pods promises to make travel faster, greener, and more efficient across key districts of the emirate.
How Glydways Works: The Future of First/Last-Mile Travel
Glydways is a personal rapid transit (PRT) system consisting of compact, driverless electric pods that carry 4-6 passengers. Operating on dedicated, narrow guideways separate from regular traffic, these autonomous vehicles use advanced sensors and AI navigation to travel at speeds up to 50 km/h, with a range of approximately 250 km per charge.
The system is designed to bridge the critical gap between major transport hubs—such as Dubai Metro stations—and final destinations like business centers, residential areas, and leisure spots. Its lightweight infrastructure allows guideways to be built above ground, at grade, or underground with minimal disruption, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional rail.
Four Key Routes Identified for Initial Rollout
The RTA has pinpointed four high-priority corridors for the first phase of Glydways deployment:
Bluewaters Island Link: Connecting National Paints Metro Station to the popular Bluewaters Island entertainment destination.
Umm Suqeim Route: Linking the Mall of the Emirates Metro Station with the Madinat Jumeirah precinct, a major tourism and commercial zone.
Al Quoz Arts Corridor: Serving the cultural district by joining Onpassive Metro Station to Alserkal Avenue and Times Square Centre.
Dubai Festival City Circuit: Enhancing connectivity within this large shopping and leisure hub, with future integration planned for the upcoming Dubai Metro Blue Line.
While an exact public launch date is pending, industry reports suggest the first services could begin trials and become operational as early as late 2026.
Part of Dubai’s Broader Autonomous Transport Strategy
Glydways is a cornerstone of Dubai’s 2030 autonomous mobility vision, which aims to make 25% of all trips driverless by the end of the decade. This initiative aligns with other pioneering projects, including the expansion of RoboTaxi services in partnership with companies like Uber and WeRide, trials of autonomous buses, and explorations into aerial taxi and hyperloop systems.
“Our investment in smart, autonomous transport is fundamentally about enhancing quality of life,” stated Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General of the RTA. “By reducing congestion, cutting emissions, and improving accessibility, we are building a more sustainable and connected city for residents and visitors.”
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Why Glydways Is a Global Game-Changer
The introduction of Glydways positions Dubai at the forefront of the future of urban mobility. For growing cities worldwide, the system presents a scalable, eco-friendly model to tackle congestion and pollution without the high costs and long timelines associated with conventional metro or tram lines.
By offering an on-demand, efficient, and zero-emission transit option, Glydways could significantly increase public transport ridership, reduce private car dependency, and set a new international benchmark for smart city innovation.
As Dubai accelerates toward its autonomous future, Glydways stands out as a tangible step in reimagining how people move—promising not just technological advancement, but a cleaner, smoother, and more accessible urban experience.
