Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has formed a strategic partnership with Glydways, a U.S.-based Automated Transit Network (ATN) developer, to evaluate the deployment of its autonomous electric transit system across the emirate.
The agreement, announced during DRIFTx at Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, adds momentum to the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster and supports the emirate’s wider ambitions in smart mobility and sustainable transport.
The collaboration includes feasibility studies, regulatory framework development, and coordination with Abu Dhabi Mobility, Abu Dhabi Transport and Etihad Rail. ADIO said the initiative reinforces Abu Dhabi’s push to address urban mobility challenges while accelerating industrial diversification.
His Excellency Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, described the partnership as part of the emirate’s strategy to shape “the next era of mobility,” adding that the initiative aims to convert innovative concepts into practical transportation solutions.
Glydways plans to establish a final assembly and production facility in Abu Dhabi as a regional hub for manufacturing, assembly and export. The company’s ATN system uses autonomous electric vehicles running on dedicated guideways, supported by its AI-enabled operating platform, Glydways OS.
Founder and Co-CEO Mark Seeger said Abu Dhabi represents an ideal environment to advance the technology. “Our system gives cities a scalable, cost-effective alternative to conventional transit that can reduce congestion and emissions while offering seamless, on-demand mobility,” he noted.
The partnership aligns with the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy 2031, which seeks to expand the manufacturing sector’s GDP contribution and strengthen high-value industries, including smart mobility and AI. By integrating regional authorities and exploring localized production, the initiative supports Abu Dhabi’s broader efforts to build an enabling ecosystem for autonomous-transport technologies.
