Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology is officially hitting the roads in Abu Dhabi, marking the first live trials of the software in the United Arab Emirates.
The Integrated Transport Centre, also known as Abu Dhabi Mobility, announced it is overseeing the trials with support from the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council. The initiative is part of a broader push to test the operational readiness of Tesla’s advanced driver-assistance system before considering a wider expansion in the region.
According to officials, the trials are being conducted within approved regulatory frameworks and in coordination with the Legislation Lab at the General Secretariat of the UAE Cabinet. While the system is labeled as autonomous, the testing requires active driver supervision at all times to ensure safety standards are met on public roads.
The data collected during this period will help local authorities verify how the software handles the specific road conditions and environment of the Emirate. This move highlights Abu Dhabi’s ongoing efforts to lead in future mobility solutions and integrate innovative technology into its transport network.
Tesla’s presence in Abu Dhabi reached a major milestone in 2019 with the opening of its first service centre and a massive retail store in the capital. Elon Musk has visited the UAE multiple times to discuss future technology, notably headlining the World Government Summit in Dubai where he discussed the intersection of AI and sustainable transport.