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Press Releases

06 Nov 2022

Institutions and academies for Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport 2023


(Finalists include 6 companies from France, UK, China, USA and Taiwan)


an image of part of events of the 2nd Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport

His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that 12 local and international organisations had qualified for the finals of the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport in the categories of both Industry Leaders and Local Academia. 

“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% increase in the targeted number of applicants in the Industry Leaders category as well as a 175% rise in applicants in the Local Academia category,” revealed Al Tayer. 

Qualified Entities

Al Tayer indicated that based on the decision of the international judges’ panel chaired by Dr. Stephen Shladover, an international expert in driverless transport technology, head of the jury of the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, six international companies had qualified for the final stage in the Industry Leaders category: Adastec from USA, King Long from China, Alexander Dennis from the United Kingdom, Navya from France, iAuto from Taiwan, and Gaussin from France. Six universities have qualified for the finals in the 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,” said Al Tayer.

“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% of mobility journeys in Dubai into smart and driverless journeys by 2030,” added Al Tayer.


High Demand

“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,” said Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport. He expressed his delight with RTA’s co-hosting this contest with key stakeholders to realise 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.

“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,” added Bahrozyan. 

Prizes

The deadline for receiving submissions to the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport expired on 31st August 2022. RTA received submissions from 13 candidates from 8 countries in the Industry Leaders category. The prizemoney set for this category amounts to US$1 million for the winner and US$750,000 for the runner-up. Furthermore, US$250,000 will be allocated as part of a contract to run trials of driverless buses with one of the winners of this category to support the targets of the Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy. 14 nominations were received from 8 universities under the category of Local Academia, where the winner will get US$200,000 and runner-up will receive US$100,000. 
 

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