Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) hosted Jaguar’s autonomous sports vehicle I-PACE; a prototype of which has been exclusively manufactured for the Dubai World Congress and Challenge for Self-Driving Transport. It is also part of Jaguar Land Rover’s contribution to supporting Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy.
“Jaguar Land Rover’s pilot launch of an autonomous vehicle at the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport is a huge boost for RTA’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy, complementing our tireless efforts in supporting autonomous vehicles technology and enablers in Dubai. This type of vehicles has become a key constituent in realising the future of transport and smart cities. It also promotes the concept of sustainability through motivating the use of electrical power in transit means,” said Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency and Chairman of Smart and Sustainable Transport Committee, RTA.
Bahrozyan added: “The pilot launch of Jaguar autonomous vehicle in Dubai contributes to the realisation of our leaders drive to transform 25% of total mobility journeys in Dubai to self-driving transport by 2030. We need to dedicate more efforts to deliver on Dubai’s strategy through taking concrete measures, and stepping up cooperation with the private sector, in line with our wise leadership’s aspirations.”
“Jaguar Land Rover shares similar goals to Dubai’s government with regards to mobility and sustainability. We both wish to make driving safer, to free up time we spend travelling, and to reduce the negative impact travel has on our planet,” commented Bruce Robertson, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover MENA. “The Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport tackles these same important challenges head-on, and our autonomous Jaguar I-PACE prototype is proof positive of the impressive progress our company and industry are making,” commented Bruce Robertson, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover MENA.
“The luxury automotive brand’s commitment to an autonomous, connected, electric and shared (ACES) future is a cornerstone to delivering on its Destination Zero vision; the ambition to make societies safer and healthier, and the environment cleaner.
“The all-electric, zero emissions Jaguar I-PACE – current 2019 World Car of the Year and World Green Car of the Year – was chosen for this special project because of its strong sustainability credentials. The production Jaguar I-PACE was modified to include enhanced vehicle detection and avoidance capabilities through a combination of radar and cameras, alongside a traffic light detection system. The vehicle’s speed and steering, from stationary up to highway speed, was also controlled autonomously during test drives, with the system following routes from a detailed HD map showing route location and a detailed bird’s-eye view of junctions.
“Jaguar Land Rover continues its drive for conscious innovation focusing on achieving its vision with Destination Zero – a future of zero emissions, zero accidents and zero congestion – across its facilities, and through its products and services. Autonomous vehicle technology plays a major role in realising the strategy. To date, Jaguar Land Rover has successfully completed real-world testing of the technology on complicated inner-city roads in the UK and continues to collaborate with academia and industry to accelerate innovation.