UAE-based AI and space technology leader, Space42, has announced a new joint venture with South Korea’s leading autonomous driving company, Autonomous A2Z, to accelerate the deployment of autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies across the United Arab Emirates. The partnership, announced during Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week 2025, formalizes a memorandum of understanding signed in October and marks a significant shift from planning to execution in the region’s push for smart mobility.
The venture is set to expand access to Level-4 AVs, deliver vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technologies, and introduce innovative autonomous capabilities to existing vehicle fleets, aiming to establish commercially viable and safe driverless mobility solutions.
A Retrofit-First Strategy for Rapid Adoption
A core component of the partnership is a “retrofit-first” model designed for the rapid and cost-effective adoption of autonomous technology. By converting existing vehicles into self-driving systems, governments and fleet operators can integrate advanced autonomy without the need for extensive and costly asset replacements.
This approach targets key sectors including public transport, logistics, industrial zones, airports, and municipal services. The technology can be applied to a wide range of vehicles, from taxis and shuttles to trucks and street-sweeping fleets, paving the way for a scalable transformation of mobility across the UAE.
Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Smart Solutions at Space42, commented on the venture’s strategic importance, stating, “Our joint venture is another strategic step in realizing Autonomy 2.0, the UAE’s next phase of intelligent, adaptive, and data-driven mobility. It embodies our vision to establish sovereign autonomy infrastructure built on data, AI, and world-class safety standards.”
A Clear Roadmap for Commercialization
The joint venture has outlined a clear path from pilot programs to full-scale commercial deployment. Initial operations will focus on pilot projects and early fleet conversions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, supported by an initial fleet of five autonomous vehicles.
As the business scales, the plan includes establishing a local workshop and an R&D program to bolster regional manufacturing capabilities and foster local innovation in the autonomous sector.
Jihyeong Han, CEO of Autonomous A2Z, added, “Together with Space42, the company aims to build a safe and reliable autonomous driving environment and infrastructure, fostering innovation in the UAE’s autonomous ecosystem and accelerating the nation’s transition to sustainable mobility.”
Fueling the UAE’s National Mobility Vision
This collaboration directly supports the ambitious smart mobility goals of the UAE. It aligns with Dubai’s objective to make 25% of all trips autonomous by 2030 and Abu Dhabi’s target to achieve the same milestone by 2040.
The venture will work in close coordination with key government entities such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster to develop the regulatory and operational frameworks necessary for large-scale deployment. This ecosystem approach ensures that technological advancements are matched with robust governance and infrastructure support.
About Space42
Space42 (ADX: SPACE42) is a UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company that integrates satellite communications, geospatial analytics and artificial intelligence capabilities to enlighten the Earth from space. Formed in 2024 by the successful merger of Bayanat and Yahsat, Space42’s global reach allows it to address the rapidly evolving needs of its customers in governments, enterprises, and communities. Space42 comprises two business units: Space Services and Smart Solutions. Space Services focuses on upstream satellite operations for both fixed and mobility satellite services. Smart Solutions integrates geospatial data acquisition and processing with AI to inform decision-making, enhance situational awareness, and improve operational efficiency. Major shareholders include G42, Mubadala, and IHC.
About Autonomous A2Z
Founded in 2018 by four former Hyundai Motor autonomous driving engineers, Autonomous A2Z is South Korea’s leading autonomous driving solutions company. The company operates the largest fleet of 62 autonomous vehicles in S.Korea and has achieved the country’s longest cumulative urban driving record of approximately 740,000 kilometers. Building on this experience, A2Z is developing a range of future mobility services, including urban autonomous shuttles and smart logistics mobility solutions, leading the commercialization of safe and efficient autonomous driving technologies.
Source: Zawya
