Abu dhabi: Space42 announced the development of the UAE’s first Sovereign Mobility Cloud, enabled by Core42’s Sovereign Public Cloud which leverages Microsoft Azure. Announced on the sidelines of the Dubai World Congress (DWC), the initiative combines Space42’s mobility expertise with Microsoft’s cloud and logistics application suite. It will accelerate the deployment of autonomous mobility solutions while ensuring that data remains securely hosted in the UAE and compliant with national regulations.
According to Emirates News Agency, Dr. Fan Zhu, Senior Vice President of Autonomous Mobility at Space42, stated, “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 and Cloud for Sovereignty, Microsoft, emphasized that Microsoft Azure delivers the secure foundation that empowers the UAE’s Sovereign Mobility Cloud. This partnership sets a benchmark for data sovereignty in the region.
The Sovereign Mobility Cloud provides the UAE with a platform for intelligent transport. At its core, it offers trusted infrastructure for mobility data and autonomous systems, critical platforms for HD mapping, telematics, fleet operations, traffic management, and digital twins, and secure data-sharing across government, industry, and research stakeholders.
As a next step, the initiative will establish reference deployments, regulatory sandboxes, and test hubs with UAE transport authorities, while engaging global automotive, technology, and academic partners to scale the ecosystem. The Sovereign Mobility Cloud will enable Space42 to lead application deployment, liaise with regulators, and drive adoption through pilots, demonstrations, and commercial rollouts.
Microsoft and Core42 will supply the sovereign-enabled cloud foundation using their UAE region, AI platforms, and data governance frameworks to ensure data residency and regulatory compliance. Microsoft will also provide training and technical expertise to grow the ecosystem. This partnership builds on earlier collaborations, including the Map Africa Initiative launched in July 2025 by Space42, Microsoft, and Esri.
Space42 has pioneered autonomous mobility advancements. Since 2021, its TXAI service has logged nearly 600,000 km of autonomous driving and 20,000 passenger trips without incident. The fleet now operates in Saadiyat, Yas, Al Maryah, and Al Reem Islands, and Abu Dhabi Airport. Beyond robotaxis, Space42 is building the backbone of intelligent mobility through HD mapping, digital twins, and AI-powered fleet operations, while working with regulators, investors, and academia to align innovation with safety and global best practices.