Silicon Valley-based autonomous vehicle company Tensor has secured federal approval from the United Arab Emirates to test fully autonomous Level 4 personal vehicles nationwide, marking a key regulatory milestone ahead of planned commercial launches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 2026.
The permit was granted by the UAE Government’s Regulations Lab (RegLab) in coordination with Dubai Roads and Transport Authority and Integrated Transport Centre, authorizing Tensor to conduct regulated testing activities across all Emirates.
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Tensor said the approval enables real-world validation of its autonomous driving technology under federal safety and governance frameworks, positioning the company to advance toward commercialization of its Robocar in the UAE’s two largest cities.
RegLab operates under the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs of the Future and works alongside the Dubai Future Foundation to provide a legal pathway for testing emerging technologies. A dedicated law allows the UAE Cabinet to license and oversee pilot deployments involving future mobility systems.
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Tensor has maintained an active presence in the UAE since September 2025, engaging with policymakers and industry stakeholders through platforms such as the World Governments Summit, DriftX and the Self-Driving Congress in Dubai, the company said.
“This federal approval is a critical step toward responsibly bringing autonomous personal vehicles to everyday users,” said Hugo Fozzati, chief business officer at Tensor. He said the testing phase would focus on safety validation, regulatory alignment and readiness for consumer deployment.
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Unlike robotaxi-focused competitors, Tensor is positioning its Robocar as a personally owned autonomous vehicle. The model supports Levels 0 through 4 autonomy and features a dual-mode design that allows occupants to switch between manual driving and fully autonomous operation, including a foldable steering wheel and adaptive interior interface.
Founded in 2016, Tensor is headquartered in San Jose, California, with additional offices in Barcelona, Singapore and Dubai. The company said it will continue working closely with UAE authorities as testing progresses to ensure compliance with safety and data governance requirements.