Dubai World Congress for Self Driving Transport

September 24, 2025 - September 25, 2025

Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport: Shaping the Autonomous Future

In a city where innovation defines the skyline, it’s no surprise that Dubai is once again at the forefront of technological progress. The Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, set to take place at the Hotel ibis World Trade Centre, is more than just an industry event it’s a visionary forum where the future of autonomous mobility begins to take shape.

With global attention increasingly turning toward automation and smart mobility, this congress presents a timely opportunity for stakeholders to converge, collaborate, and drive the future forward without the need for a steering wheel.

Why Dubai, and Why Now?

Dubai has long positioned itself as a global hub for innovation and future mobility. From AI-powered government services to electric vehicle infrastructure and hyperloop feasibility studies, the city continues to anticipate tomorrow’s needs today.

When it comes to autonomous transport, Dubai’s ambitions are clear: by 2030, the city aims for 25% of its total transportation to be autonomous. That’s not just a goal it’s a strategic commitment, backed by infrastructure, legislation, and partnerships with global technology leaders.

Hosting this Congress in Dubai is symbolic and strategic:

Symbolic, because the city embodies futuristic ambition.

Strategic, because the UAE government is proactively setting the stage for AVs through pilot projects, regulatory frameworks, and public-private partnerships.

And so, the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport is not a one-off gathering. It’s a milestone in a long-term roadmap toward redefining mobility.

What Attendees Can Expect: A Glimpse into the Future

Set against the backdrop of Dubai’s iconic World Trade Centre, the congress promises a multi-layered experience part expo, part summit, and part think tank. The program will offer not just information, but insight; not just products, but possibilities.

Key features of the congress include:

Visionary Keynotes from international mobility leaders and policymakers.

Technical Panels focusing on AI integration, real-time navigation systems, and safety protocols.

Regulatory Deep Dives exploring how legislation can keep pace with technology.

Live Demos and Exhibitions showcasing the latest in autonomous vehicles, drones, and connected infrastructure.

Networking Sessions to foster global partnerships and future collaborations.

Whether you're a startup founder or a seasoned transportation executive, the congress offers a seat at the table next to the people building what’s next.

Exploring the Core Themes of the Congress

The sessions and discussions at the Dubai World Congress will be organized around core themes that reflect the current challenges and aspirations of the autonomous transport sector.

Some of the central themes include:

Safety and Ethics in Autonomy
How do we ensure the safety of passengers and pedestrians in a world where machines make decisions in milliseconds? And what happens when those decisions have ethical implications?

Urban Integration and Infrastructure Readiness
Autonomous vehicles don't just need algorithms they need cities that can support them. How will smart cities prepare for AVs in terms of roads, signals, and data flows?

Regulatory Harmonization
As self-driving technology outpaces lawmaking, how can countries align their regulations to ensure consistency, safety, and cross-border mobility?

Public Perception and Trust
Will people feel safe in a car without a driver? How do we shift public sentiment and build confidence in autonomous systems?

Sustainability and Energy Efficiency
Can autonomous transport contribute meaningfully to emissions reduction and sustainable development goals?

Who Will Be There: A True Cross-Section of the Ecosystem

The event draws a wide variety of participants, reflecting the deeply interconnected nature of autonomous transport. This isn’t just for engineers or executives it’s for anyone whose work touches the future of mobility.

Expected attendees include:

Automotive manufacturers and AV tech firms

City planners and smart city consultants

Artificial Intelligence and robotics developers

Academics and researchers in mobility and urbanism

Legal and regulatory experts

Investors and venture capitalists

Transportation authorities and public sector leaders

This diversity of perspectives is what makes the congress particularly valuable solutions for autonomous mobility require systems thinking, not siloed discussions.

The Value of Face-to-Face Collaboration

In a post-pandemic world increasingly reliant on digital interactions, the return to in-person congresses brings back something that Zoom can’t replicate: serendipity. That chance conversation during a coffee break. The spontaneous brainstorm that happens over lunch. The moment when someone from a totally different sector offers a completely new lens.

At the Hotel ibis World Trade Centre, attendees will find an atmosphere designed to spark these moments through informal networking spaces, curated discussion tables, and an exhibition floor buzzing with ideas and invention.

What the Congress Means for the Broader Industry

The implications of the Dubai World Congress go beyond city borders or individual innovations. It’s a signal that the autonomous transport revolution is moving out of R&D labs and into the real world.

Here’s what this means in practice:

Cities will need to update their planning frameworks to accommodate AVs alongside existing transport modes.

Traditional car manufacturers must evolve into tech companies or risk obsolescence.

Insurance and liability models will be redefined as human error gives way to machine error.

Public transit agencies must rethink their models for last-mile connectivity and on-demand mobility.

In other words, the future of self-driving transport isn’t a tech issue it’s an everything issue.

Why This Moment Feels Different

Autonomous vehicles have been discussed for years. But until recently, much of the conversation felt like science fiction promises with little public visibility. Now, things are changing.

Autonomous shuttles are operating on university campuses and industrial parks.

Ride-hailing companies are testing driverless fleets in controlled urban areas.

Regulatory sandboxes are enabling real-world trials of AVs in cities around the world.

The Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport arrives at a moment when the conversation is shifting from “Is it possible?” to “How do we scale this?”

And that’s a conversation worth having in person.

Driving the Driverless Future

Self-driving transport isn’t just about technology it’s about rethinking how we move, who gets access, and what kind of cities we want to live in.

By bringing together the brightest minds and boldest innovators, the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport provides not just a glimpse of what’s coming, but a space to shape it together.