Dubai, UAE - Dubai has begun testing Glydways autonomous electric transit pods at Bluewaters, moving one of the emirate’s future mobility initiatives from planning into live trial operations.
The system is based on small self-driving electric vehicles operating on dedicated guideways separate from normal road traffic. Each pod is designed to carry between four and six passengers, with a maximum speed of 50 km/h and a range of up to 250 kilometres per charge.
According to Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, the Glydways network is intended to provide high-capacity, on-demand transport for first- and last-mile journeys while using narrower infrastructure than conventional road or rail systems.
The technology can be deployed at ground level or on elevated guideways, allowing the network to operate independently from existing traffic. RTA has previously said the system is capable of supporting direct point-to-point journeys without intermediate stops and can operate around the clock.
The Bluewaters trial is expected to continue into November as Dubai evaluates the technology ahead of a wider rollout.
RTA has identified a potential 2.8-kilometre route between National Paints Metro Station and Bluewaters, while other planned locations include Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Festival City, Business Bay and Mohammed Bin Rashid City.
The proposed network is intended to improve connections between Dubai Metro stations and residential, commercial and visitor destinations across the city.
RTA first announced its cooperation agreement with Glydways in February 2026, describing the project as Dubai’s first automated programme for an Autonomous Transit Network. The authority said the system could be implemented through a public-private partnership model.
The wider plan forms part of Dubai’s push to expand smart and sustainable transport options while improving access to high-density districts without adding conventional road capacity.
With the Bluewaters trial now underway, the project has entered a more visible testing phase as the city assesses how autonomous transit could be integrated with its existing public transport network.
