Contest for driverless vehicles soon
dubai — In line with Dubai’s vision to become one of the smartest cities in the world, the Roads and Transportation (RTA) announced the creation of an international competition on self-driving vehicles at a press conference on Monday.
“Dubai is the first city to declare such an ambitious project for selfdriving transportation (SDT),” said Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Licensing Agency and concurrent head of RTA’s Smart Vehicles Committee.
“This international competition will allow manufacturers, operators and universities around the world to showcase how advance these SDT technologies are and this (competition) will also assure the public that autonomous vehicles are safe.”
“The idea is to convince them to come to Dubai because we are a smart city. We want them to do their testing here and we will also learn the capabilities of these autonomous vehicles. Once driverless transport is ready, Dubai is also ready,” he said.
The RTA is aiming to have 25 per cent of public and private transport in Dubai to be driverless by 2030.
Bahrozyan, however, did not provide specific details of the competition yet but explained: “Over the next few months we will formally announce this competition – what are the mechanics, who can enter, and even the prizes.”
He added that Dubai will focus on seven modes of transportation, including rapid transport, water taxis, aerial taxis, shuttle buses, and last mile solutions. “As of now we already have the Metro as a proof of an autonomous mode of transportation. We are also conducting ongoing tests of the autonomous shuttle bus in Business Bay area.”
Bahrozyan added that the RTA is keen on forging partnerships with international manufacturers and universities to advance the driverless technology.
When asked by Khaleej Times about funding the research and development, Bahrozyan explained: “Maybe a joint funding like what
As the technology evolves more and more, soon we can expect buses without drivers or steering wheels.” Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Licensing Agenc
we signed with Hyperloop One and Next. Definitely as a government we are open to investing. When we invest, we will advance the concept and we will be the first beneficiaries of this technology.”
Bahrozyan predicted that driverless transport is not going to be surprising in the next few years and Dubai wants to be at the forefront of driverless technology.
“As a smart city, we are providing enablers and building blocks such as digital mapping of the city, drafting laws and regulations, increasing public awareness and conducting trials,” he added.
“One of the things we have to work on is how to handle the driver licensing and vehicle registration; how to handle the issue of liabilities in case of accidents? Will the car be liable or the driver? These are tough questions and today there are no answers yet for these questions which are on our radar,” Bahrozyan said.
“As the technology evolves more and more, soon we can expect buses without drivers or steering wheels,” added Bahrozyan at the Press conference where the RTA also announced its five-year Smart City Platform from 2017-2021.
According to Mattar Al Tayer, RTA director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, the five-year innovative strategy is part of RTA’s “endeavors to deliver best-in-class services and keep pace with the technological advancements worldwide aimed at maximising people happiness.”
“The launch of this strategy is part of the global future trends that show the world is bracing for a fourth industrial revolution focused on technological intelligence and robots. The strategy is undertaken in implementation of the directives of the UAE government for shaping the future and realising the national agenda, 10x initiative and RTA’s excellence drive,” said Al Tayer. angel@khaleejtimes.com