Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has announced that it will host the second edition of DRIFTx, the emirate’s leading international exhibition dedicated to next-generation smart and autonomous mobility solutions, from November 10 to 12, 2025.
Held as part of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week (ADAW), organized by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), DRIFTx 2025 will bring together global innovators, investors, regulators, and policymakers to explore the future of transport across air, land, sea, and robotics.
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Building on the success of its debut edition, which attracted over 8,000 visitors from more than 65 countries and resulted in 12 strategic agreements, the second edition returns with an expanded format and new focus areas. Over three days, Yas Marina Circuit will transform into a live testbed for autonomous air taxis, self-driving vehicles, maritime vessels, and robotic systems operating in real-world conditions.
This year’s event introduces an enhanced focus on robotics, highlighting its growing influence in logistics, manufacturing, and urban services. By integrating robotics with autonomous mobility, DRIFTx underscores Abu Dhabi’s holistic approach to technological advancement, linking mobility innovation to broader industrial transformation.
HE Badr Al Olama, Director-General of ADIO, stated that, “As the flagship event of Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster, DRIFTx demonstrates the strength of Abu Dhabi’s dynamic ecosystem, where regulation, capital, and innovation merge seamlessly to accelerate progress. By bringing together the most innovative players in mobility with regulators, investors, and the public, Abu Dhabi is shaping the future of transport across air, land, and sea.”
Beyond its exhibition component, DRIFTx serves as a commercial acceleration platform, fostering collaboration between startups, investors, and regulators to help prototypes and pilots advance toward commercialization.
For investors, the event presents opportunities to engage with scalable, commercially viable technologies aligned with Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic diversification strategy. Visitors will gain insights into how autonomous systems are improving safety, reducing risks, and enhancing efficiency, key factors in building public trust and adoption.
For international companies, DRIFTx offers both a showcase and an entry point into Abu Dhabi, a global hub with access to high-growth markets across the GCC, Africa, South Asia, and beyond. The UAE’s extensive Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) further provide preferential market access to over 2.5 billion consumers.
As the flagship event of the SAVI cluster, DRIFTx plays a vital role in Abu Dhabi’s broader cluster strategy, attracting leading global companies, advancing high-tech industries, and creating knowledge-based jobs across priority sectors. The SAVI cluster is projected to contribute AED 44 billion ($11.98 billion) to Abu Dhabi’s GDP and generate more than 35,000 jobs.
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