The GCC region is at the forefront of redefining mobility, with smart transportation and autonomous solutions reshaping the future of how we move. We’ve already witnessed Saudi Arabia’s aim to have 15% of public vehicles in Riyadh operating autonomously by 2023 as part of Vision 2030, as well as Dubai’s ambitious goal to make 25% of transportation autonomous by the end of the decade.These visions reflect a broader transformation sweeping across cities, roads, and urban infrastructure. These groundbreaking initiatives go beyond technological ambition, they represent a commitment to enhancing convenience, productivity, and safety for millions of residents while pushing boundaries on what is possible in mobility.
At the core of these initiatives lies a vital and often underappreciated element: connectivity. As cars evolve from simple modes of transport into highly sophisticated moving ecosystems, it is the seamless integration of digital infrastructure, sensors, and data-driven services that enables this evolution. The success of the GCC’s mobility transformation will depend on the ability to align cutting-edge technology, accessible user experiences, and robust safety systems in ways that resonate with both governments and citizens.

The convergence of mobility and digital transformation
The GCC’s mobility ambitions cannot be separated from its broader transition toward digital economies. National visions, such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s innovation-oriented policies, outline a future where technology is embedded in every aspect of public and private life. As cities, and our daily lives, become more connected, the vehicles on their roads must follow suit. This integration demands not just cutting-edge cars but also systems that allow vehicles to seamlessly interact with people, infrastructure, and one another.
The GCC has already made impressive strides in laying the foundation for these changes. In Dubai, pilot programs for autonomous taxis are underway, and authorities are exploring the use of delivery bots to enhance urban last-mile logistics. Riyadh is moving steadily toward introducing autonomous fleets to public transportation networks. These advancements, however, are just the beginning of what is possible. It is also up to us within the automotive industry to aid the charge on this transformation, and OnStar is driving forward the shift through innovative technologies such as Super Cruise, the first and only hands-free driver assistance system to offer hands-free trailering, with LiDAR mapping already complete in Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain in preparation for regional rollout.

Safety above all in the mobility revolution
While innovation gets the headlines, safety is the unshakable cornerstone of any mobility system. In a region that is home to some of the world’s busiest roads, addressing driver fatigue, cross-border travel risks, and emergency responsiveness is critical. Smart mobility is not just about convenience; it’s about saving lives. This is where technology delivers its most profound impact. For instance, hands-free systems, equipped with advanced mapping and real-time monitoring, have the potential to reduce driver fatigue, particularly on long-haul routes that are common across the GCC.
Moreover, proactive safety features revolutionize how drivers respond to potentially dangerous scenarios. OnStar in particular delivers real-time alerts for maintenance issues, advanced diagnostics and data, ensuring vehicle health is prioritized above all. The integration of systems such as OnStar into daily driving routines ensures that the region’s roads can meet the mobility demands of a growing population, while assisting in advancing smart mobility within the region.

Convenience as an expectation, not a luxury
As the GCC pioneers mobility innovation, user experience must remain at the heart of these efforts. Modern drivers no longer view digital access as a bonus, it’s an expectation. Seamless digital integration represents the kind of personalization that today’s drivers demand. Integrating services into mobile apps meets drivers where they are, whether it’s climate control, EV charging tools or advanced diagnostics at the click of a button, and OnStar ensures connectivity is made easy through the GM vehicle brand apps, offering remote access and personalized features in both Arabic and English.

The road to autonomous futures
While the deployment of fully autonomous fleets may still be a few years away, the groundwork is already being laid. Countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are investing in the necessary regulatory and technological ecosystems to support AV development, with LiDAR mapping and AI-based analytics forming the foundation of driverless systems.
The public appetite for these innovations is clear. Autonomous taxis, last-mile delivery robots, and hands-free highway driving are not distant concepts, they are within reach, pending sustained investment and collaboration between public and private sectors. At OnStar, we’re excited to be part of the region’s evolving mobility ecosystem, enabling advanced technologies like Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free highway driver assistance technology, with expectations to debut in select GCC markets starting with the 2026 model year. As we work alongside governments to push toward their mobility targets, together we’re building an infrastructure that promises to redefine what transportation means in the Middle East.

Why it matters
Advancing mobility in the GCC is not just a technological ambition, it is a societal imperative. Smarter, safer, and more sustainable transport systems have a transformative impact on productivity, quality of life, and urban development. They reduce environmental footprints, unlock new economic opportunities, and create avenues for innovation that ripple across industries.

As the GCC continues to embrace these changes, the collaboration between governments, technology providers such as ourselves, and automakers will be critical in delivering solutions that not only meet mobility goals but exceed them. Only by working together can we ensure a future where connected systems, autonomous vehicles, and digital transformation are integrated seamlessly into the everyday lives of millions of people.

This interconnected vision is not just about the vehicles of tomorrow; it’s about creating smarter, more sustainable cities today. By prioritizing connectivity, fostering innovation, and centering user needs, the GCC is poised to lead the way in defining the mobility revolution, and inspiring the rest of the world to follow.