Ras Al Khaimah Launches Autonomous Vehicle Sandbox and Expands RoboTaxi Trials

The Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) has officially unveiled its autonomous mobility framework and introduced the Autonomous Vehicle Sandbox initiative, Gulf News reported. The launch ceremony took place on Friday, October 30, at the InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.

The event was attended by Zeng Jixin, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the UAE, and Ou Boqian, Consul General of China in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, alongside delegates from government entities, technology companies, and research institutions.

Alongside the regulatory framework, RAKTA confirmed the expansion of its RoboTaxi autonomous trials to Al Dhait South. This builds on earlier trials that began on Al Marjan Island in early 2026, which included RoboBus testing and logged more than 21,000 kilometres in operational distance to assess self-driving performance in real-world environments.

According to RAKTA Director General Eng. Esmaeel Hasan Al Blooshi, the Autonomous Vehicle Sandbox provides designated routes and testing infrastructure to simulate live conditions. The facility is designed to enable international technology developers to evaluate vehicle safety, readiness, and compliance ahead of wider commercial deployment across the emirate's transport network.