The signing of an agreement between the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) and Cruise, a leading US-based autonomous car firm, was observed by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.

The cruise will run self-driving taxis and ride-hailing facilities in the emirate. Because of this deal, Dubai will be the first non-US city where Cruise will commercially run such automobiles.

The arrangements for the self-driving service's launch will begin soon. Cruise self-driving vehicles will make their debut with a small number of vehicles in 2023 and intend to increase to 4,000 vehicles by 2030.

Sheikh Hamdan praised the RTA-Cruise deal, noting that it will lift Dubai's global profile in self-driving automobiles and make attempts to ensure Dubai the world's smartest capital.

"This agreement would be the first of its type in the world between a government department and a pioneering developer of autonomous vehicles and autonomous vehicle technology. It is a huge transition toward realizing Dubai's Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which intends to convert 25% of total trips in Dubai to self-driving transport trips through different modes of transport by 2030." Sheikh Hamdan said.

On behalf of RTA, Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, signed the agreement. Jeff Bleich, Cruise's Chief Legal Officer, signed on behalf of the company. Over 90% of accidents are attributed to human error. The implementation of these self-driving cars is likely to vastly enhance road safety. The electric automobiles are environmentally sustainable and efficient in serving a diverse range of clients, including elderly and industrious people.

This deal would help Dubai's 2030 vision for self-driving technology, because of which the emirate intends to save Dhs1.5 billion annually by reducing pollution by 12% and reduce transport cost by Dhs900 million annually. By improving the productivity of Dubai's transportation sector, it will produce Dhs18 billion in annual financial outcomes.