The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will begin testing an electric driverless taxi at a residential area in Dubai Silicon Oasis in December onwards.

The trial phase will run for three months, and after this period the RTA will decide where and when this can be rolled out in other parts of Dubai, a senior RTA official told Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the 38th edition of Gitex Technology Week, which kicked off on Sunday at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The self-driving battery-powered cab, which is designed in partnership with Dubai Silicon Oasis and DG World for robots and artificial applications, is a Mercedes-Benz E-Class model.

It is equipped with four sensors – located at each corner of the vehicle; three cameras for frontal, rear and inside view; two radars on the front grille; and another radar on the top of the vehicle.

The cameras have two functions – serving as the eyes of the taxi and also for recording the traffic and road conditions. The sensors, meanwhile, will scan the surroundings within a 400-metre, 360-degree radius to control the vehicle and avoid collision. The sensors will send a signal if the vehicle has to slowly halt or come to a full stop.

“A driver will be available inside the taxi during the trial stage to intervene in case the vehicle has to shift from autonomous to manual driving,” Al Awadi explained.

“Passengers during the trial phase will be by-invitational only and there will also be a media preview,” Al Awadi added.