UAEU Collaborates with the Integrated Transport Centre and K2 to Launch a Pilot Autonomous Mobility Project at Its Campus

The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has announced the completion of preparations to launch the pilot phase of the Autonomous Mobility Project at its campus, in coordination with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport – 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 and was officially announced during UAEU’s participation in UMEX 2026.

The Integrated Transport Centre 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 proposed solutions 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 solutions that improve quality of life on campus. It also supports the UAE’s vision of strengthening its global leadership in autonomous systems technologies.

H.E. Prof. Ahmed Ali Al Raeesi, Vice Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University, stated: “UAEU places significant importance on harnessing innovation and future technologies to serve the educational community and the wider ecosystem. 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 toward leadership in smart mobility.”

Dr. Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre, stated: "This project reflects the Integrated Transport Centre’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 United Arab Emirates University reaffirms ITC’s role in enabling innovation and providing safe, real-world testing environments to support the development of policies and standards.

This collaboration also strengthens the role of national universities as key partners in building talent and knowledge, while enhancing the readiness of the regulatory ecosystem to deploy future mobility technologies, in line with the UAE’s ambition to be a global leader in smart mobility.

Prof. Hamad Abuallah Al Jassmi, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Emirates Center for Mobility Research at United Arab Emirates University, commented: “This project represents a significant step toward strengthening smart and sustainable mobility on campus. Beyond offering an innovative mode of transportation, it serves as an advanced practical platform for collecting and analysing technical and operational data and conducting real-world experiments in a safe environment. These efforts will contribute to the development of autonomous mobility solutions for mass passenger transport and support Abu Dhabi’s and the UAE’s broader initiatives to adopt future mobility technologies and enhance the readiness of regulatory and operational frameworks in this promising sector.”

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 artificial intelligence to advance safe, sustainable, and smart mobility systems.