Abu Dhabi Robots: Thousands of Autonomous Vehicles Coming to UAE
Abu Dhabi is preparing for a major expansion of artificial intelligence in daily life, with thousands of robots and self-driving vehicles expected to operate across the UAE.
The announcement came on October 6, 2026, during the opening of AI Everything Abu Dhabi 2026 at ADNEC Centre. Faisal Al Bannai, adviser to the UAE President and Secretary General of the Advanced Technology Research Council, said autonomous taxis, delivery vans and robots will become increasingly visible on UAE streets.
He said the UAE could have thousands of autonomous taxis and delivery vehicles next year, as the country expands technologies already being tested in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The rollout is part of the UAE’s wider push into what officials call physical AI. This includes machines that can interact with the physical world, such as self-driving vehicles, delivery robots and other autonomous systems.
Al Bannai said the robots will not remain limited to technology demonstrations. They are expected to operate in places such as streets, malls and residential compounds.
Abu Dhabi is also focusing on AI-powered government services. Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement, said AI could significantly change how government services operate and how productivity is measured.
AI Everything Abu Dhabi is being held at ADNEC from October 6 to 7, 2026, bringing together more than 400 exhibitors and over 180 speakers from the global AI industry. The planned expansion means residents could see more autonomous vehicles and robots becoming part of everyday services as early as next year.
