UAE to develop first sovereign mobility cloud
Space42 & Core42 partner with Microsoft to secure AI transport with Azure
#UAE #MobilityAI – The UAE has announced the first Sovereign Mobility Cloud, led by AI-powered satellite service company Space42 (ADX: SPACE42) and enabled by Core42’s Sovereign Public Cloud on Microsoft Azure. This Sovereign Mobility Cloud is a secure, local digital platform for managing self-driving vehicles and smart transport systems, including tasks like mapping roads in high detail, tracking fleets, and controlling traffic. Announced at the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Vehicles, Space42 aims to keeping autonomous transport data securely hosted in the UAE and fully compliant with national regulations.
SO WHAT? – The UAE currently has multiple trial autonomous transport services in operation, with plans to dramatically increase the number of autonomous vehicles on the nations roads. Apollo Go, Pony.ai and WeRide all have agreement with local transport authorities to roll-out autonomous transport services in the country. By creating sovereign cloud infrastructure for autonomous mobility, Space42 and aims to ensure that autonomous mobility data is both is both secure and compliant with national data laws.
Here are some key details about the new platform:
Space42 is developing the nation’s first Sovereign Mobility Cloud, enabled by Core42’s Sovereign Public Cloud running on Microsoft Azure.
The platform will host autonomous mobility applications, HD mapping, fleet operations, telematics, traffic management, and digital twins securely within the UAE.
Microsoft and Core42 provide training, technical expertise, co-investment, and AI platforms to support ecosystem development.
Data residency and regulatory compliance are ensured via Microsoft Azure’s secure cloud infrastructure and Core42’s sovereign platform.
Reference deployments, regulatory sandboxes, and test hubs will be established with UAE transport authorities to scale autonomous mobility solutions.
The initiative builds on prior collaborations, including the Map Africa Initiative with Microsoft and Esri, and Space42’s GIQ geospatial AI platform on Azure Marketplace.
Space42’s TXAI autonomous driving service implemented in partnership with WeRide has logged nearly 600,000 km and 20,000 passenger trips since 2021, covering Saadiyat, Yas, Al Maryah, Al Reem Islands, and Abu Dhabi Airport.
Major Space42 shareholders include G42, Mubadala, and IHC, combining technology, operational experience, and strategic investment to drive intelligent mobility.
ZOOM OUT – The UAE has become a global testbed for next-generation mobility, investing in infrastructure, governance, and AI systems. Sovereign cloud initiatives like this align with national strategies for technological independence, data security, and autonomous systems deployment. By integrating AI, geospatial analytics, and cloud sovereignty, the UAE is positioning itself as a regional leader in intelligent transport and a model for global smart city initiatives.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]