Abu Dhabi is gearing up for a new phase in mobility with the Urbanloop driverless pod system expected to begin operation by year-end. Sebastian Mangeant, CEO of Abu Dhabi Transport Company (ADT), confirmed at the Global Rail conference that a working autonomous pod service will soon be rolling out.
A prototype capsule pod—on display at ADT’s stand—can carry up to eight passengers, including four seated and four standing. Units built for two to ten passengers are also planned, all designed to be bicycle- and wheelchair-friendly.
Testing of the system is currently underway on Reem Island, where local conditions like heat and dust are being assessed. During trials, the pods are operating at about 20 km/h, but the system has the potential to reach speeds up to 50 km/h as seen in deployments abroad.
One of the system’s highlights is its ability to bypass intermediate stations: there will be parallel tracks, allowing a pod to either stop at each station or go directly to a final destination without stopping. This design is meant to reduce congestion and improve travel times.
Authorities see Urbanloop as a strategic move for last-mile connectivity, enhancing the appeal of public transport over private cars. The goal is to build a more connected, comfortable, and convenient transit network—one that makes it easier for people to rely less on personal vehicles.
While current speeds in mixed traffic are modest, officials said they plan to expand the system using pilot projects, “sandbox frameworks,” and scaling efforts that could make autonomous pods a more high-performance choice for daily commuters.
