Post by : Badri Ariffin

In a significant advancement for urban transportation, Abu Dhabi has become the first city globally to officially endorse modular smart vehicles as a new category of road transport. This groundbreaking announcement, made during DRIFTx 2025 at the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Week, signals a pivotal change in transport policy and technological innovation.

Engineered by NExT, these vehicles possess reconfigurable designs, enabling them to link or disconnect according to passenger counts or operational demands. This adaptability not only streamlines traffic but also mitigates congestion and reduces carbon emissions, fostering a more sustainable urban transport landscape.

Supported by thorough research from leading institutions in New York and Abu Dhabi, and underscored by international accolades and practical trials, modular smart vehicles reveal the potential to transform city mobility. Unlike traditional vehicles, they can adjust in real-time to meet demand, making them a practical solution for daily transit and specialized transport requirements.

The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), collaborating with Emirates Driving Company (EDC), Liftango, and Paradigma Innovation Hub, is currently piloting these vehicles on Yas Island—the world's first operational trial of their kind. This initiative aims to showcase the tangible benefits of modular connectivity while setting the stage for broader integration of intelligent and autonomous transport systems in Abu Dhabi.

Beyond efficiency, these vehicles offer a platform for advancing remote-control and autonomous driving technologies, aligning with the city’s vision for a fully integrated intelligent transport framework. By embracing this innovative approach, Abu Dhabi reaffirms its role as a frontrunner in sustainable and pioneering mobility solutions.

With this official recognition, modular smart vehicles transition from a futuristic idea to a revolutionary framework for urban transport, providing a model for cities around the globe to develop smarter, greener, and more versatile mobility infrastructures.

#Abu Dhabi News #UAE News