[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"news-emirates-driving-company-acquires-ai-firm-performise-labs-automate-uae-road-tests":3,"related-emirates-driving-company-acquires-ai-firm-performise-labs-automate-uae-road-tests":26},{"id":4,"slug":5,"type":6,"title":7,"excerpt":8,"body":9,"featuredImage":10,"tags":11,"publishedAt":18,"createdAt":18,"faqs":19,"makeName":19,"makeSlug":19,"modelName":19,"modelSlug":19,"year":19,"prevPost":20,"nextPost":23},81,"emirates-driving-company-acquires-ai-firm-performise-labs-automate-uae-road-tests","news","Just Launched: Emirates Driving Company Acquires AI Firm to Automate UAE Road Tests","Emirates Driving Company acquires 51% stake in Performise Labs to bring AI-powered automated road testing to the UAE. Revolutionizing driver licensing.","Emirates Driving Company (EDC), the Abu Dhabi-based driving school giant, has announced a groundbreaking acquisition of a 51% majority stake in AI technology firm Performise Labs to fully automate road tests across the UAE.\n\nThis strategic move, announced on February 20, 2026, and subject to regulatory approvals, marks the first major integration of artificial intelligence into the GCC's driver licensing process. It promises to revolutionize how new drivers are tested and certified.\n\n![Just Launched: Emirates Driving Company Acquires AI Firm to Automate UAE Road Tests](https:\u002F\u002Fimg.drivenarabia.com\u002Fposts\u002F2026\u002F02\u002Femirates-driving-company-acquires-ai-firm-performise-labs-automate-uae-road-tests.webp)\n\n## Why This UAE AI Acquisition Matters\n\nFor anyone looking to get a driver's license in the UAE—especially the thousands of new residents and young drivers each year—this news is a game-changer. The current manual testing process, with its inherent human variability and scheduling delays, is set to be transformed by precision AI technology.\n\nPerformise Labs, founded in 2024, has developed the Intelligent Virtual Examiner (iVE). This AI and Internet of Things (IoT) system enables fully automated yard tests with real-time monitoring, biometric verification, and measurement accuracy down to an incredible 2 centimeters.\n\nKhaled Al Shemeili, CEO of EDC, stated: **\"This acquisition represents a pivotal step in our journey toward a smarter and safer future for driver education... elevating road safety.\"**\n\nThe technology doesn't just assess basic maneuvers. It provides objective, consistent scoring that eliminates human bias and error. For GCC drivers who face unique challenges like extreme summer heat and complex multi-lane highways, standardized testing could mean better-prepared drivers on the roads.\n\n## How AI Will Change UAE Driver Testing\n\nImagine showing up for your road test and being evaluated by an AI system that never gets tired, never has a bad day, and measures your parking precision to within 2 cm. That's exactly what's coming to UAE driving centers.\n\nThe iVE system uses advanced sensors and cameras to monitor every aspect of a driving test:\n- Lane discipline and signaling accuracy\n- Parking precision (parallel, angle, and reverse)\n- Speed control and following distance\n- Observation and hazard perception\n- Biometric verification to prevent fraud\n\nEnes Reda, CEO of Performise Labs, explained: **\"This partnership will accelerate the development of our AI-based solutions... broader smart mobility solutions.\"**\n\nBut here's what makes this particularly relevant for the GCC context: the system is designed to scale. It's not just about testing passenger car drivers today—it's built to handle the future of autonomous vehicles, industrial zones, ports, and smart cities.\n\n## GCC Expansion: Beyond the UAE Borders\n\nThis isn't just an Abu Dhabi or UAE story. Performise Labs has already secured contracts with UAE roads and transport authorities, and the company is actively pursuing expansion into Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan.\n\nThat means drivers across the entire GCC region could soon experience AI-powered testing. The standardization potential is enormous—imagine a driving license earned in Riyadh being recognized as meeting the exact same standards as one earned in Dubai, thanks to identical AI evaluation systems.\n\nFor EDC, this acquisition supports their broader transition to becoming 'Emirates Mobility'—an integrated platform that goes beyond traditional driving schools to encompass comprehensive mobility solutions.\n\n## What This Means for New Drivers in the GCC\n\nIf you're planning to get your driver's license in 2026 or beyond, here's what you can expect:\n\n**Faster testing processes** with reduced waiting times for appointments. AI systems can run continuously without breaks, potentially allowing for more tests per day.\n\n**More consistent evaluation** where your score depends entirely on your driving performance, not on which examiner you get or what mood they're in.\n\n**Enhanced road safety** as the AI system can identify and correct bad habits during training, not just during the final test.\n\n**Future-proof technology** that will evolve to test advanced driving assistance systems and eventually autonomous vehicle operation.\n\nThe timing couldn't be better. With the GCC car market growing steadily and new vehicle technologies becoming more complex, having a standardized, tech-forward testing system ensures drivers are properly prepared for modern roads.\n\n## The Bigger Picture: UAE's Tech-Driven Mobility Future\n\nThis acquisition isn't happening in isolation. It's part of a broader trend across the UAE and GCC to leverage technology for smarter, safer transportation systems. From Dubai's autonomous transportation strategy to Abu Dhabi's smart city initiatives, the region is rapidly embracing mobility innovation.\n\nFor EDC, a company listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (symbol: DRIVE) and a subsidiary of 2PointZero Group, this move represents a significant pivot toward technology integration. It positions them not just as a driving school operator, but as a mobility technology leader.\n\nThe Intelligent Virtual Examiner system represents more than just automated testing—it's a data collection platform that can provide insights into common driving errors, road design issues, and training effectiveness across the entire region.\n\n## What's Next for AI-Powered Driving Tests\n\nWhile regulatory approvals are still pending, the partnership between EDC and Performise Labs signals a clear direction for the future of driver licensing in the GCC. The companies will work to integrate the iVE system across EDC's existing infrastructure while pursuing new contracts with transport authorities.\n\nExpect to see pilot programs rolling out in select locations before wider implementation. The technology will likely debut in controlled yard test environments before expanding to on-road testing scenarios.\n\nFor current driving instructors, this doesn't mean replacement—it means augmentation. AI can handle the repetitive evaluation tasks, allowing human instructors to focus on personalized coaching and complex scenario training.\n\nThe ultimate goal? A driver licensing system that's faster, fairer, and produces better-prepared drivers for GCC roads. In a region where car ownership is high and road safety is paramount, that's a win for everyone.\n\n**Source: Gulf News**\n\n*Featured image shows the Intelligent Virtual Examiner (iVE) AI system in action during a driving test simulation.*","posts\u002F2026\u002F02\u002Femirates-driving-company-acquires-ai-firm-performise-labs-automate-uae-road-tests.webp",[12,13,14,15,16,17],"emirates driving company","performise labs","ai driving test","uae driving license","gcc mobility","road safety","2026-02-20T20:21:47.729Z",null,{"slug":21,"title":22},"jaecoo-j8-shs-super-hybrid-suv-launches-uae-600hp-1300km-range","Just Launched: JAECOO J8 SHS Super Hybrid SUV Debuts in UAE with 600 HP and 1,300 km Range",{"slug":24,"title":25},"uae-petrol-diesel-prices-reduced-february-2026","UAE Fuel Prices Drop for February 2026: Petrol and Diesel Get Cheaper",{"related":27,"crossType":73},[28,43,59],{"id":29,"slug":30,"type":6,"title":31,"excerpt":32,"featuredImage":33,"tags":34,"publishedAt":41,"makeName":19,"makeSlug":19,"modelName":19,"modelSlug":19,"year":19,"tagOverlap":42},552,"deepal-g318-reev-suv-launches-saudi-arabia","Breaking: Deepal G318 REEV SUV Launches in Saudi Arabia","The 2026 Deepal G318 offers 850km total range, 430hp, and serious off-road capabilities. Here's everything you need to know about Saudi Arabia's first REEV SUV.","posts\u002F2026\u002F04\u002Fdeepal-g318-reev-suv-launches-saudi-arabia.webp",[35,36,37,38,39,40],"deepal","g318","suv","reev","saudi arabia","electric suv","2026-04-18T10:52:02.885Z","0",{"id":44,"slug":45,"type":6,"title":46,"excerpt":47,"featuredImage":48,"tags":49,"publishedAt":58,"makeName":19,"makeSlug":19,"modelName":19,"modelSlug":19,"year":19,"tagOverlap":42},551,"saudi-pif-550m-lucid-investment-uber-robotaxi-fleet-35000","Breaking: Saudi PIF Pumps $550M More Into Lucid as Uber Robotaxi Fleet Hits 35,000","Saudi Arabia's PIF boosts Lucid investment to $8 billion total as Uber commits to 35,000 EVs for global robotaxi service. Full production in Jeddah starts 2026.","posts\u002F2026\u002F04\u002Fsaudi-pif-550m-lucid-investment-uber-robotaxi-fleet-35000.webp",[50,51,52,53,39,54,55,56,57],"lucid","pif","uber","robotaxi","ev","electric vehicles","investment","gcc","2026-04-18T10:51:41.689Z",{"id":60,"slug":61,"type":6,"title":62,"excerpt":63,"featuredImage":64,"tags":65,"publishedAt":72,"makeName":19,"makeSlug":19,"modelName":19,"modelSlug":19,"year":19,"tagOverlap":42},550,"gcc-auto-sales-plunge-20-percent-ramadan-war-impact","GCC Auto Sales Plunge 20% During Ramadan as War Hits Demand","Ramadan 2026 saw GCC car sales drop 20% below normal levels as regional conflict reversed traditional boom. Analysis reveals unprecedented cancellation rates and empty showrooms.","posts\u002F2026\u002F04\u002Fgcc-auto-sales-plunge-20-percent-ramadan-war-impact.webp",[66,67,68,69,70,71],"gcc auto market","car sales","ramadan","regional conflict","economic impact","automotive industry","2026-04-18T10:50:49.999Z",[]]