UAE Launches First Sovereign Mobility Cloud to Boost Autonomous Vehicles
▼ Summary
– Space42 is developing the UAE’s first Sovereign Mobility Cloud in partnership with Core42 and Microsoft to accelerate autonomous mobility solutions.
– The cloud provides trusted infrastructure for mobility data, autonomous systems, and critical platforms like HD mapping and traffic management.
– A key feature is ensuring data remains securely hosted within the UAE, complying with national regulations for data residency and sovereignty.
– The initiative will establish reference deployments, regulatory sandboxes, and test hubs in collaboration with UAE transport authorities.
– Space42 has a proven track record in autonomous mobility, with its TXAI service completing hundreds of thousands of kilometers of autonomous driving.
The United Arab Emirates is taking a decisive step toward becoming a global leader in intelligent transport with the launch of its first Sovereign Mobility Cloud. This initiative, developed by Space42 in collaboration with Core42 and Microsoft, establishes a secure, sovereign-enabled platform designed to accelerate the deployment of autonomous vehicles and advanced mobility solutions. By ensuring that all critical data remains hosted within the nation’s borders, the project addresses both security concerns and regulatory compliance, providing a trusted foundation for the future of transportation.
Announced during the Dubai World Congress, the partnership leverages Space42’s specialized mobility expertise alongside Microsoft’s robust cloud infrastructure and logistics applications. The Sovereign Mobility Cloud will function as the core infrastructure for a wide array of essential services. These include platforms for high-definition mapping, telematics, and digital twins, which are vital for managing fleet operations and urban traffic flow. The cloud will also facilitate secure data sharing among government entities, industry players, and academic researchers, creating a collaborative ecosystem for innovation.
A key component of the strategy involves establishing reference deployments, regulatory sandboxes, and dedicated test hubs in cooperation with UAE transport authorities. This approach allows for the controlled testing and refinement of autonomous systems within a real-world framework. The initiative will also engage international partners from the automotive, technology, and academic sectors to ensure the ecosystem can scale effectively. Dr. Fan Zhu, Senior Vice President of Autonomous Mobility at Space42, emphasized that the project sets a new global standard for secure and trusted platforms in the mobility sector.
The technological backbone is supplied by Microsoft and Core42, who are providing a sovereign-enabled cloud foundation from their UAE data center region. This ensures full data residency and adherence to local regulations. Microsoft is contributing its Azure platform, along with AI capabilities, data governance frameworks, and technical support. Sherif Tawfik from Microsoft noted that the partnership combines world-class data residency with confidential computing to create a platform that meets the highest benchmarks for security and trust in the region.
This latest endeavor builds upon previous collaborative efforts. In mid-2025, Space42 partnered with Microsoft and Esri to launch the Map Africa Initiative, aiming to develop a continent-wide base map. Furthermore, Space42’s own geospatial AI platform, GIQ, is available through the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, highlighting the deepening integration between the entities.
Space42 has already established a significant track record in autonomous mobility. Its TXAI robotaxi service has successfully completed nearly 600,000 kilometers of autonomous driving and over 20,000 passenger trips without a single incident since 2021. The service currently operates across Saadiyat, Yas, Al Maryah, and Al Reem Islands, as well as Abu Dhabi Airport. Beyond robotaxis, the company is actively developing the underlying systems for smart cities, including AI-powered fleet management and digital twin technology.
The combined efforts of the UAE’s strategic vision and Space42’s technological execution are rapidly positioning Abu Dhabi as an international hub for intelligent transport. This ecosystem not only serves national development goals but also aims to set new worldwide benchmarks for the safe and effective integration of AI-enabled transportation systems.
(Source: Economy Middle East)
