AI Instructors to Teach Learner Drivers in Abu Dhabi
Yas Driving Academy pioneers AI‑powered driving lessons to enhance training accuracy and learner performance in Abu Dhabi.
- Publish date: since 2 hour Reading time: two min read
Learner drivers in Abu Dhabi are set to receive a futuristic boost in their training as Yas Driving Academy introduces artificial intelligence (AI) instructors to portions of the driver education curriculum. The move marks a significant step toward integrating advanced technology into practical skills training.
The pioneering system, deployed in a modified Avatr 12 electric vehicle, uses an AI‑driven avatar instructor displayed on a 15‑inch touchscreen to provide real‑time coaching, corrective prompts and personalised guidance as learners practice driving.
Initially, the AI instructor will be used during segments of training where learners drive independently within a designated zone on campus, after building basic skills with a human instructor. While human trainers continue to lead early lessons and oversight, the AI system takes over when students begin solo practice.
The AI setup identifies trainees through a QR code and onboard sensors, tracking their behaviour, reactions and driving style. It then delivers adaptive feedback, from reminding learners to buckle up to correcting entry into roundabouts, aiming to shorten learning curves and sharpen essential skills.
The system can adapt lessons to a student’s performance, offering precise, data‑driven corrections that complement traditional instruction.
While artificial instructors bring consistency and rapid error detection, human instructors remain part of the training fabric, especially during foundational stages. Officials say the blend of AI and human coaching could eventually lead to larger AI roles, with the system’s evolving capability enabling more sophisticated, tailored lessons.
The initiative is part of a broader collaboration between the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) under the Department of Municipalities and Transport and Yas Driving Academy to modernise driver training and testing services in the emirate.
Abu Dhabi’s move reflects a growing global trend in using AI to improve road safety and driver education. In neighbouring Dubai, for example, the RTA’s Tadreeb platform uses artificial intelligence and data analytics to personalise training and streamline licensing processes across multiple driving institutes, an approach credited with narrowing wait times and enhancing instruction quality.
By embracing technology, Abu Dhabi aims to elevate its driver training ecosystem, equipping new motorists with advanced tools that encourage safe driving habits while aligning with the UAE’s smart mobility and innovation goals.