The Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the Board of the Transport General Authority in Saudi Arabia, Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser, has launched the initial operational phase of autonomous vehicles in Riyadh. This strategic move aims to enable advanced technology and expand the development of a smart and safe transportation ecosystem within the Kingdom, aligning with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.
The project is the result of an integrated partnership involving the transport and logistics ecosystem and relevant government 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), alongside private sector technology and operation partners Uber, AiDriver, and WeRide.
Autonomous vehicles will operate within a real-world environment covering King Khalid International Airport and several key locations in Riyadh, including major highways and selected city center destinations.
The phase is carried out under direct regulatory and technical supervision by the Transport General Authority. Each vehicle will have a safety officer onboard to ensure passenger safety and monitor smart system performance under real conditions.
Al-Jasser affirmed that this phase reflects the Kingdom’s ambitious vision to build a smart, integrated transport system that supports economic growth and improves quality of life.
He highlighted the importance of developing regulatory and operational frameworks and fostering technological transformation. The project sets a pioneering example of public-private partnership toward a smarter and safer mobility future.
