The initiative is a strategic pillar of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), overseen by the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC). It focuses on the registration, testing, and regulatory approval of Level 4 AVs—vehicles capable of operating entirely without human intervention within a defined area.
According to Ahmed Baghoum, CEO of Masdar City, “The announcement of Level 4 testing marks a substantial leap forward in AV capabilities. This initiative aligns perfectly with our vision to shape the cities of the future through innovation, digital integration, and environmental responsibility.”
Masdar City has long been a pioneer in clean mobility, and this latest phase builds on its early adoption of autonomous vehicles, dating back to 2010. Through its Smart Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster, Masdar City offers a collaborative platform for global AV manufacturers to pilot and refine their systems within a real-world urban ecosystem.
Testing in a Real-World Urban Environment
During this proof-of-concept phase, the AVs operate along a 2.4-kilometer geofenced route, connecting prominent destinations such as:
- Siemens Building
- North Car Park
- My City Center Masdar Mall
- Central Park
The route also includes high-visibility locations like IRENA headquarters, MC2, and The Link, offering diverse conditions to test navigation, performance, and system responsiveness.
Initially, trained safety officers will be present in the vehicles. However, as testing progresses, the plan is to transition to fully autonomous operations monitored remotely from a centralized command center.
Ali Alyafei, COO of Solutions+, emphasized the importance of context-specific trials: “Partnering with Masdar City allows us to test our Level 4 AVs in a real-world environment that combines cutting-edge infrastructure with a strong commitment to sustainability.”
The test program evaluates how AV systems perform under local infrastructure, traffic dynamics, and climate conditions, providing insights critical to regional deployment. This ensures that all AVs meet the UAE’s stringent safety, environmental, and regulatory standards before scaling for broader use.
The project supports the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and complements Abu Dhabi’s vision of a sustainable, flexible, and integrated transport model. It also highlights the regulatory readiness and strategic intent of government bodies to support the rollout of intelligent mobility solutions.
Dr. Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director-General of ITC, commented: “This initiative reaffirms our commitment to enabling a smart, sustainable transport ecosystem that strengthens Abu Dhabi’s global position in innovation.”
The progress being made in Masdar City is emblematic of the broader transformation taking place across the UAE’s transportation landscape. These innovations will take center stage at the Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit (EVIS) 2026, where key players in the global EV and autonomous vehicle ecosystem will converge in Abu Dhabi to explore the future of clean, connected, and autonomous mobility.
As the world’s focus shifts toward decarbonization and intelligent transport, initiatives like Masdar City’s Level 4 AV testing reinforce the UAE’s role as a living lab for smart mobility solutions—and EVIS Abu Dhabi 2026 will be the place to witness, engage, and shape what’s next.
Source: https://economymiddleeast.com/news/masdar-city-pilots-level-4-self-driving-vehicles-as-uae-pushes-smart-mobility-vision/
