UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company Space42 and South Korean autonomous driving firm Autonomous A2Z have signed a commercial agreement worth $7 million to deploy Level 4 autonomous mobility solutions in the UAE.
The agreement marks the first commercial contract under the companies' broader partnership and is separate from the joint venture announced in 2025 to support the long-term commercialisation of intelligent mobility solutions in the UAE.
The deal combines Autonomous A2Z's Level 4 autonomous driving technology with Space42's artificial intelligence, geospatial and connectivity capabilities. The companies aim to develop and operate autonomous transportation services suited to the UAE's growing smart mobility ecosystem.
Autonomous vehicle trials to begin
As part of the agreement, pilot Robo-Shuttle services using A2Z's ROii autonomous vehicle will undergo operational testing and demand assessment in the UAE.
The programme will also include modified and retrofitted autonomous vehicles. Following the initial testing phase, the companies expect to expand the technology into Demand-Responsive Transport (DRT) and tourism shuttle services.
The phased approach is designed to generate real-world operational data and insights that can support the deployment of autonomous mobility across additional transportation applications.
Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Smart Solutions at Space42, said autonomous mobility is becoming an important component of smart city infrastructure and that the partnership aims to establish dependable driverless transportation services aligned with international safety standards.
Supporting UAE smart mobility ambitions
The project supports the UAE's broader efforts to develop AI-enabled transportation and intelligent mobility under its National Smart Mobility Strategy.
It also builds on Space42's existing mobility portfolio, including TXAI, its autonomous taxi service. According to the company, TXAI has travelled more than 600,000 kilometres across 20,000 trips since operations began in 2021, with zero recorded accidents.
For Autonomous A2Z, the agreement represents a significant step in expanding its technology beyond South Korea and into international markets.
Han Ji-hyung, CEO of Autonomous A2Z, said the agreement demonstrates the readiness of Korean-developed autonomous driving technology for international deployment.
South Korean technology expands internationally
Autonomous A2Z has conducted autonomous driving trials across 13 cities and provinces in South Korea. The company operates 91 permitted autonomous vehicles with more than 1.02 million kilometres of cumulative driving experience.
Its capabilities cover autonomous driving software development, vehicle integration, fleet operations and service management.
The UAE deployment follows several years of cooperation between South Korea and the UAE in technology development, testing and market entry. Commercial execution of the agreement was led by A2G (Autonomous to Global), A2Z's Singapore-based joint venture with Kilsa Global.
The project is expected to provide both companies with operational experience that can help accelerate the adoption of autonomous mobility services in the UAE and support their expansion into additional international markets.
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