Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On November 12, DiDi Autonomous Driving announced a strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).
As part of the deal, DiDi has joined Abu Dhabi's Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster, marking its first major step into the Middle East. The two sides will collaborate on advancing autonomous driving technologies, AI talent development, and ecosystem building. Together, they aim to accelerate Abu Dhabi's efforts to create a world-leading hub for smart mobility and sustainable transportation, with plans to gradually expand cooperation across the wider Middle East region.
The SAVI cluster, led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and ADIO, serves as a regional hub for smart transportation across the Middle East and North Africa. It focuses on promoting innovation and commercialization of autonomous technologies across land, sea, and air mobility, as part of Abu Dhabi's broader smart city vision. According to ADIO, the initiative is expected to contribute AED 44 billion to Abu Dhabi's GDP and generate around 40,000 jobs by 2045.
H.E. Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, described the partnership as a "key milestone in shaping the future of transportation in Abu Dhabi." He welcomed DiDi Autonomous Driving's participation in the SAVI cluster, noting that the company's expertise would play a vital role in scaling autonomous driving applications across the Middle East. "We look forward to working together to establish new benchmarks for intelligent, safe, and sustainable mobility," he said.
Wang Yue, Vice President of DiDi Autonomous Driving and General Manager of its Autonomous Driving Services Department, said the Middle East represents a key region in DiDi's global expansion strategy. "Abu Dhabi's vision for smart city development and sustainability aligns perfectly with our commitment to responsible technology innovation," Wang noted. "With ADIO's support and collaboration with local partners, we aim to advance autonomous driving innovation and deployment across the region, delivering a safer and smarter mobility experience for Middle Eastern users."
DiDi Autonomous Driving focuses on advancing Level 4 autonomous technology through the application of cutting-edge artificial intelligence. Leveraging its proprietary hardware-software stack and its "Huijugang" intelligent operations platform, the company has maintained more than 1,900 consecutive days of safe operations. Its next-generation autonomous vehicle—developed in partnership with GAC AION and designed for global adaptability—is slated for delivery by the end of this year.
