Quick answer
- Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) began a four week trial of the Dubai Glydways automated transit system at Bluewaters, announced on 11 October 2026.
- Glydways uses small autonomous electric vehicles that carry four to six passengers at up to 50 km/h on dedicated narrow guideways, away from general traffic.
- The RTA is studying a 2.8 km route linking National Paints Metro Station with Bluewaters, plus routes serving Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Festival City, Business Bay and Mohammed Bin Rashid City.
- The announcement did not include fares, public ride access during the trial or a launch date for a permanent service.
The Dubai Glydways trial is now under way. The RTA has started a four week trial of the Dubai Glydways driverless pod system at Bluewaters, building on its agreement with Glydways to launch Dubai’s first automated transit network programme. If it moves beyond the trial, the network could give residents in busy communities a new way to reach the Metro without driving or hunting for parking.
What was announced
According to the official announcement from the Government of Dubai Media Office, the RTA has launched trial operation of the Dubai Glydways automated transit system at Bluewaters, the island destination run by Dubai Retail under Dubai Holding. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, marked the start with a five minute ride along the designated route after touring the system’s control centre.
The trial will run for four weeks. It builds on the cooperation agreement the RTA signed with Glydways to launch Dubai’s first automated transit network programme of this kind, and on a separate partnership with Dubai Holding, which is preparing the test site, providing the infrastructure and supporting operations at Bluewaters.
During the trial the RTA will check the vehicles’ autonomous driving, sensing, communication and control systems, their safety and reliability, and the user experience. It will also measure journey times, ease of use and how vehicle movements are managed along the route, and use that data to assess future expansion opportunities.
How the Dubai Glydways trial system works
Glydways vehicles are small autonomous electric pods supported by artificial intelligence. They do not share the road with cars. Instead they run on dedicated, narrow guideways built on lightweight structures that can sit at ground level or be raised, which the RTA says makes the network easier to fit around existing roads and transport links.
The service is designed to work on demand around the clock, taking passengers directly from their starting point to their destination rather than stopping along a fixed line. Riders will be able to adjust the in vehicle climate control and entertainment. Here are the key figures the RTA published:
| Feature | Dubai Glydways figure |
|---|---|
| Passengers per vehicle | 4 to 6 |
| Top speed | Up to 50 km/h |
| Range per charge | Up to 250 km |
| Sensors | 20 high resolution LiDAR sensors, plus radar and HD cameras |
| Vehicle convoys | More than 10 vehicles linked virtually, under one second apart |
| System capacity | More than 20,000 passengers per hour in both directions |
| Capital cost | Up to 90% lower than similar transport modes |
| Operating cost | Up to 70% lower than similar transport modes |
| Trial length | Four weeks at Bluewaters |
The project is being delivered as a public private partnership, so private sector companies specialising in autonomous vehicles and AI will share in building and running it.
What it means for drivers
Glydways is not a replacement for your car, but it targets one of the most common short trips residents make: getting to and from the nearest Metro station. The RTA describes first and last mile journeys as a key focus of the project, linking stations with homes, offices, tourist spots and major attractions.
For drivers in communities such as Jumeirah Village Circle or Business Bay, a pod link to the Metro could mean fewer short car trips, less time looking for a paid parking bay and less traffic on internal roads. Because the pods run on their own guideways, they would not share lanes with the cars you drive alongside.
It is still early. This is a four week trial on one site, and the RTA has only said it is studying further routes. Until a permanent service, timetable and fare structure are announced, nothing changes for your daily commute.
Key dates and proposed routes
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Trial announced | 11 October 2026 |
| Trial location | Bluewaters, Dubai |
| Trial duration | Four weeks |
| Route under study | 2.8 km link between National Paints Metro Station and Bluewaters |
| Other areas under study | Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Festival City, Business Bay, Mohammed Bin Rashid City |
| Fares and public launch | Not announced |
Practical tips
- Do not plan around Glydways yet. The trial is a technical test, and the RTA has not announced fares, a public booking method or a permanent launch date.
- If you live in JVC, Business Bay, Dubai Festival City or Mohammed Bin Rashid City, watch for RTA updates on route studies, since these are the areas named for possible future links.
- Heading to Bluewaters or JBR during the trial? The announcement did not mention any road closures or diversions linked to the test.
- Want to compare what driving really costs you today? Use our Salik and parking calculator to add up tolls and parking for your regular trips.
- For background on how the idea first came to Dubai, read our earlier explainer on driverless pods in Dubai.
FAQs
What is the Dubai Glydways trial?
It is a four week trial of an automated transit system at Bluewaters, launched by Dubai’s RTA and announced on 11 October 2026. Small autonomous electric pods run on dedicated guideways separate from general traffic.
How many people can ride in a Glydways pod?
Each vehicle carries between four and six passengers. The pods travel at up to 50 km/h and have a range of up to 250 km on one charge.
Can the public ride Glydways at Bluewaters?
The official announcement did not say whether members of the public can ride during the trial. It describes the four weeks as an assessment of technical performance, safety and user experience.
Where could Glydways routes go in Dubai?
The RTA is studying a 2.8 km route between National Paints Metro Station and Bluewaters. It is also studying routes serving Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Festival City, Business Bay and Mohammed Bin Rashid City.
Will Glydways pods use normal roads?
No. The vehicles run on dedicated narrow guideways that can be built at ground level or elevated, so they operate independently of general traffic.
More for drivers: UAE Driving Guide
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