The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has completed preparations for the pilot phase of an autonomous mobility project at its campus in Al Ain.

This is being done in coordination with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities & Transport in Abu Dhabi. ITC serves as the regulatory and supervisory authority for the smart mobility sector in the emirate. The project is also being implemented in collaboration with K2 (k2.world) and was officially announced during UAEU’s participation in last month’s Umex (www.umexabudhabi.ae) event in Abu Dhabi.

The ITC plays a central role in supervising the implementation of the pilot phase by overseeing compliance with approved regulatory frameworks, monitoring operational performance and ensuring adherence to safety requirements. This supervision ensures the readiness of the propositions for practical application in line with international best practices in smart mobility.

The project aligns with national directives aimed at enhancing innovation and advancing smart mobility systems, as well as implementing sustainable future mobility that improves quality of life on campus. It also supports the UAE’s vision of strengthening its global leadership in autonomous systems technologies.

“UAEU places significant importance on harnessing innovation and future technologies to serve the educational community and the wider ecosystem,” said Ahmed Ali Al Raeesi, vice chancellor of the university (www.uaeu.ac.ae). “The Autonomous Mobility Project reflects the university’s commitment to developing smart and sustainable solutions and strengthening integration between research and practical applications. It also exemplifies effective collaboration with government and private sector partners, contributing to a safer, more efficient campus environment and supporting the UAE’s strategic direction towards leadership in smart mobility.”

Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, ITC (admobility.gov.ae) acting director general, added: “This project reflects the ITC’s commitment to advancing high-impact initiatives that accelerate the adoption of smart mobility and autonomous systems across Abu Dhabi, through regulatory and operational frameworks that prioritise safety and efficiency. Our supervision of the pilot phase at UAEU reaffirms ITC’s role in enabling innovation and providing safe, real-world testing environments to support the development of policies and standards.”

This project reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen integration between academia, government and the private sector, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for innovation in autonomous mobility. It also supports the adoption of future technologies and the use of AI to advance safe, sustainable and smart mobility systems.