Sheikh Hamdan tests self-driving car on Dubai roads, shares glimpse of autonomous future

Sheikh Hamdan tests self-driving car on Dubai roads, shares glimpse of autonomous future

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, caught the attention of his followers on Thursday after sharing footage of himself riding in a self-driving car on Dubai roads.

In a short video posted on Instagram, Sheikh Hamdan was seen seated inside the autonomous vehicle during a test drive, with no hands on the controls. Captioning the clip, he wrote, “Hands off. Future on.” The post quickly gained traction online, sparking conversations around the future of mobility in the emirate.

The footage offered a glimpse into Dubai’s push towards smart and sustainable transport solutions, with autonomous vehicles playing a central role in the city’s long-term mobility strategy.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), was also seen inside the car during the test drive, underscoring the government’s direct involvement in advancing self-driving technology. His presence highlighted ongoing coordination between leadership and transport authorities as Dubai works towards integrating autonomous vehicles into its road network.

Dubai has previously announced ambitious plans to increase the use of autonomous transport, aiming to position itself as a global leader in smart mobility and future-ready infrastructure.