Dubai: The Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Mr. Mattar Al Tayer has revealed that 12 regional and international entities have qualified for the Final round of the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport in the categories of both Industry Leaders and Local Academia.
Speaking about the much-anticipated event running next year, Mr. Al Tayer remarked that, “This edition of the Challenge, which focuses on Self-driving Buses, features an increase in the number of participants in both categories with 27 submissions received from worldwide candidates. The number reflects a 130 percent increase in the targeted number of applicants in the Industry Leaders category as well as a 175 percent rise in applicants in the Local Academia category.”
Finalists
Industry Leaders Category
- Adastec, USA
- King Long, China
- Alexander Dennis, United Kingdom
- Navya, France
- iAuto, Taiwan and
- Gaussin, France
Local Academia category
- Khalifa University of Science and Technology
- American University of Sharjah
- Heriot-Watt University
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education
- University of Dubai and
- The University of Bolton
The Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport aims to expand the use of self-driving transportation across the board. It encourages industry leaders to cope with the current challenges such as the first and last-mile challenge facing public transport riders in reaching their final destinations, traffic congestion, and the drop in public transport ridership. Self-driving transport has become a key pillar of RTA’s strategy and we are keen on launching several initiatives to turn the self-driving transportation concept into a reality in Dubai.
Mr. Al Tayer highlighted
The RTA Director-General added that, “Designating Self-driving Buses as a theme for the third renewal of the Challenge is a catalyst to achieve Dubai’s Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy aimed to transform 25 percent of mobility journeys in Dubai into smart and driverless journeys by 2030.”
Amazing Reception
Since announced, the 3rd Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport witnessed a considerable interest from a variety of international entities that were keen to showcase their projects and initiatives about autonomous means.
Mr. Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, shared.
Mr. Bahrozyan expressed his delight with RTA’s co-hosting this contest with key stakeholders to realize the underlying objectives of the Challenge.
“The selection of finalists was based on several parameters such as credibility and vision, the extent of innovation, the relevance of skills and expertise, and commercial elements like the operability and value-added. The selection criteria also included the relevance to the needs of Dubai and the UAE,” the RTA official revealed.
“RTA communicated with numerous companies and academia and held four induction workshops for candidates. Following the assessment of submissions and the selection of finalists, RTA would undertake further assessment of shortlisted candidates through practical tests and visual presentations next year. The winners would be announced during the events of the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport 2023,” Mr. Bahrozyan concluded.