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After UAE, Saudi Arabia To Welcome Futuristic Self-Driving Cars In Riyadh

Smart taxis hit the Riyadh streets.

by Deeplata Garde
After UAE, Saudi Arabia To Welcome Futuristic Self-Driving Cars In Riyadh

Say goodbye to small talk with cab drivers and hello to silent rides through Saudi Arabia’s capital. Riyadh is officially rolling into the future with the launch of self-driving taxis. This move signals a giant leap for Saudi Arabia’s smart transport ambitions, and the city is just getting started. If you’ve ever wished for a ride that’s smooth, smart, and quiet, this is your moment..

Riyadh’s Road To The Future: Self-Driving Taxis, AI Transport And More

No, this isn’t a sci-fi film. Driverless taxis are set to cruise through Riyadh’s streets very shortly. Announced by Dr Omaimah Bamasag, Deputy of Transport Enablement at the Transport General Authority (TGA.. Five other cities across the Kingdom are also jumping on the bandwagon. We’re not just talking about flashy AI vehicles here. The rollout includes a full support system. Think physical roads restructured for AI driving, digital maps in real-time, communication sensors, and data-crunching backends working non-stop to keep every ride safe and efficient. The ultimate goal? To build a fully integrated mobility system that looks like it came straight out of 2040, but now.

Also on the list? Autonomous trucks, drones, and private cars. So, don’t be surprised if your next delivery is dropped off by a robot with wheels.

The People Powering The Tech

Self-Driving Taxi Riyadh
Image Credit: Canva (Representational Image)

Behind every sleek machine is a human-powered plan. The TGA has formed a Future Mobility Committee, chaired by the Deputy Minister of Transport. This isn’t a think-tank that likes the sound of its voice; these folks are hands-on, managing over 120 smart mobility projects, with 16 fully focused on AI-powered transport systems.

Their goal is simple: make Saudi smarter. That means fewer emissions, fewer road accidents, and far more efficient travel. And while we’re all busy watching for flying cars, they’ve quietly added electric buses in Jeddah and Tabuk, amping up the green game.

It’s not just about reducing pollution or adding tech for tech’s sake. It’s about making every journey,  whether you’re commuting to work or ordering a parcel, faster, smoother, and dare we say, a bit cooler.

Also Read: Saudia To Buy Up To 100 Air Taxis From Lilium; Expected To Serve Hajj & Umrah Pilgrimages

What Does This Mean For Passengers?

Let’s face it, we all hate traffic. And waiting for taxis. And rides that take 15 minutes longer than they should. With self-driving taxis, Riyadh is on a mission to eliminate all that and give people more control over their commute. Imagine booking a ride, having it arrive bang on time, with no chatter, no detours, and no human error. Sounds dreamy? It’s about to become real.

And while there’s some understandable scepticism about trusting AI with your precious commute, rigorous safety protocols are baked into the system. These vehicles will go through extensive testing before they’re allowed to mingle with human drivers. The future isn’t just coming, it’s being safety-checked, traffic-simulated, and government-approved before it reaches you.

With AI vehicles doing the rounds, transport companies can reduce costs, eliminate driver shortages, and increase efficiency, which hopefully translates to cheaper fares for you.

The best part? You’ll soon get to say you were there when Riyadh’s streets transformed from regular to revolutionary.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Stock Images

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First Published: May 12, 2025 12:56 PM