Self-driving cars in Dubai next year
Winner among 17 finalists in Dubai World Self Driving Transport Challenge to join the city’s transport fleet
You could soon be hopping into a self-driving vehicle for your first and last mile trips in Dubai as the winning vehicle of Dubai World Challenge for Self Driving Transport is all set to enter the city’s public transport fleet.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) yesterday announced 17 finalists for the first global self driving transport challenge across four categories, with the winner of the first category getting to be part of Dubai’s first and last mile fleet, besides walking away with a million dollars.
Announced in February last year, the preliminary round of the challenge saw 65 participants from across the world including industry leaders, start-ups as well as international and local universities.
Startegy
Part of Dubai’s strategy to broaden the horizon for self-driving or driverless technology, the $5.1 million (Dh18.71) challenge is the first of its kind global contest that aims to make Dubai a hub for smart transport solutions.
“The Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport aims to broaden the use of self-driving transport. It seeks to encourage the leading ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Prizes worth $3 million Exclusive pilot operation in Dubai
Start-ups
Prizes worth $1.5 million Entrance to one of the cycle of Dubai Future Accelerators Programme
Universities, Institutions
Prizes worth $300,000 each for UAE-based and international universities companies to cope with the existing challenges of the First and Last Mile, traffic congestions and the drop in the public transport ridership.
The driverless transport has become a key pillar of RTA’s strategy, and we are making every endeavour to make it a reality in Dubai,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, announcing the finalists.
He added that the RTA is currently working with federal authorities to develop regulations and legislations covering the use of self-driving vehicles on the UAE roads, which will be ready in time for the roll out of winning vehicles of the competition.