Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has started field tests for participants in the 3rd Dubai World Challenge for self-driving transport 2023.
Testing will be conducted at Dubai Silicon Oasis, a member of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ). The challenge offers a generous purse of $2.3 million divided into two categories: Industry Leaders and Local Academia, RTA said in a statement posted on its website.
This edition of the challenge features an increase in the number of participants in both Industry Leaders and Local Academia categories with 27 submissions received from worldwide candidates, the RTA statement noted.
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, RTA said.
Commenting on the development, Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency and Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, RTA, said, “The launch of the third edition of the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport follows the success of the first two editions. It complements RTA’s efforts to raise the profile of Dubai in self-driving transport and supports the government’s vision to transform 25% of total mobility journeys in Dubai into journeys that use self-driving means by 2030.”
The theme of this edition is ‘Self-Driving Buses’, Bahrozyan said.
Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport
The Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, organised by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority at Dubai Silicon Oasis for the third consecutive year, strengthens the emirate’s ranking within indices for innovation, designing the future, creating opportunities, enhancing public-private partnerships, and supporting research and development across vital sectors, RTA said in the statement.
This aligns with the key objective of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33)–to consolidate Dubai’s position among the top three global cities, it added.
The winners will be announced during the 3rd Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, organised by Dubai’s RTA from 26 to 27 September, 2023.
The congress will be accompanied by an exhibition showcasing self-driving transportation, which is set to attract about 60 exhibitors and 2000 visitors.
A host of discussion panels and workshops will be held to share expertise and discuss the most recent developments and innovations in autonomous technologies.