I still remember watching Back to the Future as a kid and being completely mesmerised by that sleek DeLorean DMC-12. And, while many were fantasising about a future with flying cars zipping through the sky (or about how cool those self-tying shoes were), car enthusiasts couldn't stop talking about how incredible that car looked. And now, 40 years since its release, and 10 years past its fictional future date of October 21st 2015, we're still waiting for our Jetson-style commute.
Flying cars might still be a pipe dream (though drone enthusiasts may beg to differ), but autonomous vehicles? That's a whole different story. We've gone from science fiction to science fact faster than most of us expected. And whilst the self-driving element wasn’t the main talking point about that DeLorean back in 1985, it sure is one of the main focal points of the automotive tech race nowadays.
Dubai Takes the Wheel (Or Rather, Doesn't)
Here's where it gets exciting for those of us living in the UAE. Backed by the RTA, Dubai is now joining the mission and becoming a real-world testing ground for autonomous vehicles, and whether you're thrilled or terrified by this prospect probably depends on how you feel about losing your steering wheel.
The trials have already begun in Dubai Silicon Oasis – yes, those mysterious self-driving cars you might have spotted are part of the RTA's ambitious smart mobility initiative. But this is just the beginning.
Who is leading the charge? The Roads and Transport Authority recently signed a major deal with Pony.ai, one of the biggest names in autonomous driving tech globally. Their plan? Launch pilot trials with the ultimate goal of rolling out a fully commercial driverless service by 2026, enabling Dubai’s strategy of 25% autonomous trips by 2030.
Let that sink in for a moment. In just over a year, you might be able to hop into a car with no driver, and cruise around the streets of Dubai like it's the most normal thing in the world.
What This Really Means
For safety advocates, this news is incredibly promising. You might think this would be the other way around, but actually, human error causes the vast majority of traffic accidents, so theoretically, removing unpredictable human drivers from the equation should make Dubai roads significantly safer. The technology has advanced to the point where these vehicles can react faster than any human driver ever could - so long as it is aware of its situation.
Whilst it has been a long time coming, there's still something both thrilling and slightly unsettling about the whole thing. Those of us who love the feeling of being in control behind the wheel might need some time to adjust to this brave new world, and for a city which has so many car enthusiasts, what will meet ups and car shows look like in the future. For many, cars are not merely an A to B, but part of their very being.
Moreover, the real test will be watching how these trials unfold over the coming months. Dubai has always been at the forefront of embracing cutting-edge technology, from the world's tallest building to artificial islands shaped like palm trees. Self-driving cars feel like the next logical step in the city's journey toward becoming a true city of the future.
One thing's for certain: we're living through a pretty incredible time in automotive history. And who knows, maybe those flying DeLoreans aren't so far off after all.
