Saudi Arabia has launched the initial operational phase for autonomous vehicles in Riyadh, in a major stride toward creating a smart and safe transport ecosystem in the Kingdom.
On Wednesday, the Saudi Transport Minister and the Chairman of the Transport General Authority (TGA), Saleh Al-Jasser, inaugurated the project, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s bold vision toward developing a smart and integrated transport ecosystem that supports economic growth and enhances the quality of life.
Furthermore, he noted that enabling cutting-edge technologies and developing regulatory and operational frameworks are among the key pillars for the expanded deployment of this technology and support the ongoing transformation in the transport sector.
Al-Jasser added that these initiatives emphasize the Kingdom’s commitment to achieving sustainability, enhancing mobility efficiency, and localizing innovation.
The project aligns with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, as well as Saudi Vision 2030 which aims to adopt sustainable mobility solutions powered by the latest AI technologies.
Moreover, the autonomous vehicles project involves a cross-sector partnership between several Saudi entities, including the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). It also includes private companies such as Uber, WeRide, and AiDriver.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the initial phase will see autonomous vehicles operating in real-world setting across many critical locations in Riyadh, such as King Khalid International Airport, major highways, and chosen downtown areas.
The TGA will be responsible for the direct regulatory and technical supervision of the implementation. In this phase, a safety officer will be onboard to ensure safety and track the performance of the autonomous vehicles’ smart systems in real-world conditions.
