Space42 and Autonomous A2Z Partner to Drive Smart Mobility Innovation in the UAE
Image used for illustrative purpose. Photo: WAM
ABU DHABI: In a major step toward advancing autonomous transportation in the region, Space42 has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Autonomous A2Z, a leading Korean autonomous driving company, to establish a joint venture in Abu Dhabi focused on Level-4 autonomous driving technologies across the Middle East and Africa.
Unveiled during GITEX Global 2025, the partnership represents a milestone in the UAE’s efforts to build a sustainable and intelligent mobility ecosystem. The joint venture will accelerate the localization of advanced autonomous driving solutions, supporting the nation’s ambition to become a global hub for smart mobility and innovation.
Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Smart Solutions at Space42, emphasized the strategic importance of the agreement, saying: “The UAE is rapidly advancing towards a new era of intelligent transport. Cross-market collaboration facilitates knowledge-sharing, which is integral to realizing the nation’s ambitions in autonomous mobility. By joining forces with A2Z, we are paving the way for local innovation, technological advancement, and sovereign capability in one of the most transformative sectors of our time.”
Jihyeong Han, CEO of Autonomous A2Z, highlighted the company’s expertise and commitment: “Having demonstrated our Level-4 autonomous technology as the official operator for APEC 2025, we are now extending this proven expertise to the Middle East. Through our collaboration with Space42, we aim to support the UAE’s national vision for smart and autonomous mobility, advancing local innovation and strengthening the region’s leadership in sustainable transportation.”
The new joint venture will serve as a cornerstone for a national ecosystem dedicated to autonomous mobility innovation, development, and commercialization, aligned with the Smart Autonomous Systems Council’s mission. Through intelligent fleet integration, AI-powered systems, and skills development, the initiative aims to enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability across urban transport networks and business operations.
This collaboration contributes directly to the UAE’s vision of a resilient, innovation-led economy, enabling a transition from pilot projects to fully operational and scalable autonomous mobility solutions. The venture builds upon a successful partnership between Space42 and A2Z and aligns with Space42’s broader investments in smart mobility infrastructure. The company recently launched the Sovereign Mobility Cloud, offering AI-driven mapping, fleet management, and traffic optimization tools. It also partnered with Dynamic Map Platform and General Motors to advance autonomous driving systems.
Since 2021, Space42’s TXAI robotaxi service has achieved nearly 600,000 kilometers of autonomous driving and completed over 20,000 passenger trips without incident. The TXAI fleet now operates across Saadiyat, Yas, Al Maryah, and Al Reem Islands, as well as Zayed International Airport, showcasing the UAE’s leadership in safe, real-world autonomous mobility.
