UAE telecom provider Etisalat is using the GITEX Technology Week 2017 in Dubai to showcase its efforts towards the development of autonomous transportation and connected car technologies in the emirates, and contribute to Dubai’s ‘Autonomous Transportation Strategy’.
In a prominent reveal, Etisalat has unveiled Daimler’s autonomous driving research vehicle, the Mercedes-Benz F 015 at its stand – marking the first time the vehicles has been seen in the region.
The Etisalat stand is also displaying another self-driving vehicle, the Etos, which is a concept car from Swiss think tank and mobility lab Rinspeed.
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Etisalat also took the opportunity of GITEX Technology Week 2017 to announce its partnership with Tesla to support the connected platform of the automotive manufacturer’s Model X, the company’s recently launched, latest and most technologically advanced model.
Over the past two years, Etisalat has launched several advanced connectivity features in vehicles in partnership with both Nissan and Toyota, allowing the manufacturers to deploy machine to machine and Internet of Things platforms off the back of Etisalat’s cellular network.
Dr Ahmed Bin Ali, senior VP for corporate communication at Etisalat Group said: “Etisalat’s objective is to drive the digital future by bringing technologies from around the world to UAE and the region.
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“This year we have again unravelled the connected car platform with Tesla, which highlights Etisalat’s connected car platform. Autonomous transportation is another technology which is attracting a lot of interest worldwide and supports the Dubai government’s long term vision for driverless mobility.”
Another ley participant at the GITEX event is Smart Dubai, which is taking the lead in realising Dubai’s strategic objectives with regards to autonomous transportation and was one of one of the key participants at the two day GSMA Mobile 360-MENA conference.
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Wesam Lootah, CEO for Smart Dubai Government, said: “Digital mobility is an important element of our country’s digital future, our strategy driven by RTA and the government’s aim to achieve 25% of autonomous transportation in Dubai by 2030, saving $6bn (AED22bn) in annual economic costs.”
