Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport 2023 finalists’ names are out
Winners and runners-up will receive AED8 million in prizes
Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the names of the 10 entities representing global autonomous vehicle companies and UAE-based universities that have qualified for the final round of Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport 2023 under the theme: self-driving buses.
Dubai RTA will announce the winners’ names and runners-up during the third edition of the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport at Dubai World Trade Centre (September 26-27, 2023).
Lead organiser
Dubai RTA is the organiser of the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport 2023 and the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport 2023.
Industry leaders category
The five international firms that have qualified for the final round of Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport 2023 (industry leaders category) and which are in the fray to win the winner’s prize of AED3.6 million ($1 million) and runner-up prize of AED2.7 million ($750,000) respectively, include Alexander Dennis (UK), BrightDrive (Egypt), Xiamen King Long (China), Quadribot (France), and iAuto Technology (Taiwan).
Local academia category
The five UAE-based universities that have qualified for the final round of Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport 2023 (local academia category) and which are in the fray to win the winner’s prize of AED736,000 ($200,000) and runner-up prize of AED368,000 ($100,000) respectively, comprise Heriot-Watt University (Dubai), Khalifa University (Abu Dhabi), University of Dubai (Dubai), University of Bolton Ras Al Khaimah (Ras Al Khaimah), and American University of Sharjah (Sharjah).
The 10 finalists listed above were chosen by an international panel of judges skilled in driverless transport technology assigned to the 2023 Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport and headed by Dr Steven Shladover.
(AED920,000 ($250,000) will be allocated to an entity in one of the two Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport 2023 competition categories to conduct trials of autonomous buses in Dubai emirate.
Royal patronage
Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport 2023 is being held under the patronages of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council.
The event, the first of its kind worldwide, is an international platform that collects autonomous transport professionals, including policymakers, technologists, researchers, and academics.
Through dialogues, seminars, and workshops, these experts will share insights, explore best practices, and discuss the latest innovations in autonomous technology.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai RTA said: “Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport 2023 aims to expand self-driving transportation across the board.
“It [the event] encourages industry leaders to cope with the first and last-mile challenges facing public transport riders in reaching their final destinations, addresses traffic congestion, and drops in public transport ridership.
‘Key pillar’
“Self-driving public transport is a key pillar of [Dubai] RTA’s strategy, and we are keen on launching initiatives to turn self-driving transportation into a reality in Dubai,” added Al Tayer.
Al Tayer continued: “The third edition of Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport has seen a surge in submissions as the Challenge received 27 applications from all over the world, surpassing the targeted number by 130% in the leading industries category and 175% in the local academia category.”
Dubai RTA’s decision to designate autonomous buses as the central theme for Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport 2023 syncs with the Authority’s efforts to achieve Dubai’s smart self-driving transport strategy that seeks to transform 25% of mobility journeys in Dubai emirate into smart and driverless journeys by 2030.
Stringent testing
The five international entities and five UAE-based universities that qualified for the final round of Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport 2023 had to pass a series of tests designed by global autonomous technology experts.
The examinations included basic and advanced tests, traffic safety, maturity of autonomous technology in buses, user convenience, credibility forward vision of the participating entity, the extent of innovation, skills, relevant expertise, and commercial aspects of feasibility and value addition.
The tests to shortlist the industry leaders category of the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport 2023 were conducted at Dubai Silicon Oasis, located in Dubai emirate, in collaboration with Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, to ensure road safety and security protocols were met.
As part of the self-driving tests to select the finalists in the Challenge’s local academia category, each UAE-based university had to demonstrate their prototype autonomous vehicle’s safe driving capabilities at their campuses.
Last Updated on 10 months by Arnold Pinto
