Space42, the UAE-based AI-driven SpaceTech company, has unveiled plans to develop the country’s first Sovereign Mobility Cloud, powered by Core42’s Sovereign Public Cloud and Microsoft Azure. The initiative, announced during the Dubai World Congress (DWC), aims to accelerate the rollout of autonomous mobility solutions while ensuring all data remains securely hosted in the UAE and fully compliant with national regulations.
The project combines Space42’s expertise in intelligent mobility with Microsoft’s suite of cloud and logistics applications, creating a trusted platform for the future of autonomous transport. It will serve as a foundation for critical infrastructure such as HD mapping, fleet operations, telematics, traffic management and digital twins, while enabling secure data-sharing between government, industry and research stakeholders.
Dr Fan Zhu, Senior Vice President of Autonomous Mobility at Space42, emphasised the significance of the initiative, said: “The UAE has always led in technological innovation, and autonomous mobility is no exception. By building the nation’s first Sovereign Mobility Cloud with Core42 and Microsoft, we are setting a global standard for secure, trusted platforms in mobility and autonomous systems.”
Sherif Tawfik, Chief Partnership Officer – AI & Cloud for Sovereignty at Microsoft, underscored the role of Azure in the project, noting: “Microsoft Azure delivers the secure, trusted foundation that empowers the UAE’s Sovereign Mobility Cloud. This partnership sets a new benchmark for data sovereignty in the region, ensuring that mobility and autonomous systems in the UAE are built on a platform that meets the highest standards for security and trust.”
As part of the next phase, the initiative will establish regulatory sandboxes, reference deployments, and testing hubs in collaboration with UAE transport authorities. It will also engage global partners across the automotive, technology, and academic sectors to scale the ecosystem. Space42 will take the lead in deploying applications, coordinating with regulators and driving adoption through pilots, demonstrations, and commercial rollouts.
Microsoft and Core42 will provide the sovereign-enabled cloud foundation, ensuring compliance with data governance and residency standards. Microsoft will also contribute training, technical expertise, and co-investment to support the ecosystem’s growth.
The partnership follows earlier collaborations, including the launch of the Map Africa Initiative in July 2025, developed by Space42, Microsoft, and Esri to create a continent-wide base map. Additionally, Space42’s geospatial AI platform, GIQ, is now available on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace.
The Sovereign Mobility Cloud builds on the UAE’s broader ambitions to become a global hub for next-generation mobility. Since 2021, Space42 has pioneered autonomous driving in the country through its TXAI service, which has recorded nearly 600,000 km and 20,000 passenger trips without incident. Its growing fleet operates across Saadiyat, Yas, Al Maryah, and Al Reem Islands, as well as Abu Dhabi Airport. Beyond robotaxis, the company is advancing intelligent transport infrastructure through HD mapping, AI-powered fleet operations, and digital twin technology.
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