Dubai takes a giant leap towards future of mobility
AUTOMATIC FLYING VEHICLES AND ELECTRIC CARS TOUCH DOWN THIS SUMMER
The summer of 2017 may very well be the milestone at which Dubai enters the era of self-driving transport that automatically whisks public riders by air, land and sea safely, securely and quite posssibly without major traffic congestion, said experts yesterday.
Electric cars and self-driving flying vehicles with preset buttons to automatically fly public riders anywhere in the emirate are already gearing up for trials in the months ahead, said world experts yesterday at the World Government Summit.
Dubai, for example, will launch in July full trial runs of the world’s first manned autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) and throughout the year conduct further testing of driverless vehicles, mini-buses, boats and trams.
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said the AAV will begin automatic take-off tests and will cruise to the selected passenger’s choice. Developed in collaboration with a Chinese drone maker, EHANG, the aircraft, called EHANG184, can carry a passenger for up to 30 minutes in the air.
All other modes of public transport in the emirate are set to follow a similar autonomous future, he said.
“The Government of Dubai is leading the transition to driverless mobility in Dubai and is planning to take a leading position worldwide in Autonomous Mobility by 2030,” said Al Tayer.
“His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the Dubai Smart Autonomous Mobility Strategy where 25 per cent of all journeys in Dubai would be transformed into driverless journeys by 2030.”
Meanwhile, Elon Musk, cofounder and California electric automaker Tesla confirmed yesterday at a press conference at the summit that his firm will set up modern Tesla stores and service centres to support a fleet of its cars arriving in the UAE this summer for new owners.
He said that within 20 years, driverless vehicles will be the norm around the world.
Musk lauded the UAE’s goal to slash emissions and reduce fossil fuels and believes strongly in a future of electric autonomous cars.
“I think it’s a very smart decision for the long term. People will look back on this and say it was a really smart move,” Musk told reporters.
Shaikh Mohammad welcomed the establishment and opening of Tesla’s regional office in Dubai, marking the launch of the company’s operations in the region. He also welcomed the establishment of investment projects for electric cars and transportation systems.