Dubai Launches Driverless Car Strategy

Dubai has taken a major step towards autonomous vehicles with the launch of its Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy, which aims to transform 25 per cent of the total transportation in Dubai to autonomous mode by 2030 saving AED 22 billion in annual economic costs.

The Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy is expected to save revenues by reducing transportation costs, carbon emissions and accidents, and raising the productivity of individuals as well as saving hundreds of millions of hours wasted in conventional transportation.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said: “Dubai is leading the cities of the world by taking a big leap in the adoption of artificial intelligence to serve humanity and establish a global model of the city of the future as we aim to become the world’s largest laboratory for technology and research and development (R&D). Today we put forward clear and precise goals for Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy, making it one of the main pillars to achieve a sustainable economy for the emirate.

“Our goal is to make the UAE a global source of the future for various sectors, including smart cities, clean energy, autonomous transportation, sustainable infrastructure and legislation for the future."Stressing that future technology will restructure economies and transform the global competitiveness balance, His Highness called for proactive efforts to take advantage of the emerging situation.

“This strategy complements a series of other accomplishments, and is associated with the launch of Dubai Clean Energy Strategy last November, as well as the second phase of the largest solar energy complex in the world. We want to make Dubai a sustainable place to live in, to enable future generations to enjoy the finest smart services within a sustainable environment. Today we are placing a new component of the city of the future, represented in a transportation system based on autonomous technology.”

Image: Emirates247.com

HE Sheikh Mohammed said: “Twenty-five per cent of Dubai’s transportation will be autonomous by 2030 to make people's lives easier, and increase the productivity of individuals and preserve our natural resources and environment.”

"We have moved from ‘foreseeing the future’ to the stage of ‘making the future’. The eyes of the whole world are set on our country as we forge ahead of others in the world in the use of technology to improve key sectors related to human life, and adapt innovation and new technologies in various areas of work and life.”

His Highness also announced the launch of Dubai World Autonomous Transportation Challenge as a global RFP to encourage the world's most innovative international companies, academic institutions and centres of research and development to test the latest advances in this technology by providing transportations solutions and scenarios that are realistic and tailored for the streets of Dubai.

“The UAE is characterized by its ambitious outlook to achieve leadership and set the benchmark in everything that serves humanity and facilitates a better life. We have had successful experiences in creating various platforms, and have become, in a short period, a global centre for future technology such as drones, robots and artificial intelligence. Today we launch the Dubai World Autonomous Transportation Challenge for companies, R&D centres and academic institutions to expedite the transfer of this technology from the laboratory to its real application in the city of Dubai.”

The Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy is expected to bring AED 22 billion in annual economic revenues in several sectors by reducing transportation costs, carbon emissions and accidents, and raising the productivity of individuals as well as saving hundreds of millions of hours wasted in conventional transportation.

The strategy will help cut transportation costs by 44%, resulting in savings of up to AED 900 million a year. It will also help save AED 1.5 billion a year by reducing environmental pollution by 12%, as well as generate AED 18 billion in annual economic returns by increasing the efficiency of the transportation sector in Dubai by 20.

Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy also aims to reduce traffic accidents and losses by 12%, equivalent to savings of AED 2 billion annually, and increase the productivity of individuals by 13%. It will save 396 million hours on transportation trips yearly. It will also reduce the spaces allocated for parking.

The Strategy features four main pillars: Individuals, Technology, Legislative Structure, and Infrastructure.

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