Autonomous a2z Secures Autonomous Tech Export Approval to UAE

SEOUL, South Korea — Autonomous a2z on Thursday announced it had received South Korea's first export approval for autonomous driving technology.

The approval permits the company to deploy its systems in the United Arab Emirates through a joint venture with Space42, a UAE-based technology firm.

The approval follows a bilateral technology cooperation agreement signed during South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to the UAE in November 2025.

Under South Korean law, autonomous driving technology is classified as a national core technology and is subject to government review prior to export.

Under the joint venture, Autonomous a2z will provide its Level 4 autonomous shuttle, the ROii, and other vehicles to the UAE market.

Space42, which develops artificial intelligence and space technology, will contribute data and AI infrastructure to the joint venture.

Autonomous a2z projected $7.6 million in orders for 2026 and $78 million in local revenue by 2035.

The United Arab Emirates has set targets for 25 percent of Dubai's public transportation to be autonomous by 2030 and for a full transition to autonomous transit in Abu Dhabi by 2040.

Jihyeong Han, chief executive of Autonomous a2z, stated that the export approval enables entry into the Middle Eastern market and aligns with the South Korean government's plan to commercialize Level 4 autonomous driving domestically by 2027.