Dubai Roads announces the qualification of 5 alliances and international and local companies for the final of the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Challenge 2025.

The Roads and Transport Authority announced that 5 alliances, international and local institutions and a leading company have qualified for the final stage in the fourth session of the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport 2025, which is held under the slogan “Dubai Self-Driving Transport District”, during which companies competed to embody a model district that includes means of transportation. Multiple and integrated in one region, and allows the residents of that region to choose the means of transportation that suits them and provides good service to them, with the aim of designing a global model for cities in the field of self-driving mobility, and the names will be announced. Winners during the Dubai World Conference and Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, which will be held next September at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Based on the decision of the global jury headed by Dr. Stephen Schladofer, an international expert in self-driving transportation technologies, and Chairman of the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transportation, five alliances and local and international companies qualified to compete in the final stage, namely: ((WeRide / Deutshe Bahn) alliance. From the United Arab Emirates, Germany and China, and the (BrightDrive / eVersum / Shiptec / SeaBubbles) alliance from Switzerland, France, the Emirates, and Austria, The Orcauboat / PIXMOVING / Heriot-Watt University Dubai alliance from the UAE and China and the SURAA / Arti alliance from Austria, in addition to the fifth candidate, the leading company (Zelos), from Singapore.

In the coming period, field tests will be conducted at the headquarters of the qualified companies in their countries, according to the standards and procedures adopted in this regard, and the name of the winning entity will be announced during the Dubai World Conference and Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, next September.

Wide participation
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, said: “The Dubai World Conference and Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, which is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, Chairman of the Council. The Executive Directorate of the Emirate of Dubai is the first of its kind in the world, and has become a global platform that attracts the most prominent experts in the field of self-driving mobility, including policy legislators, technology developers, researchers, and academics, to review best practices. Global, and the exchange of ideas and visions, through dialogue sessions, seminars and workshops to learn about the latest developments and innovations in self-driving transportation technology, noting that the fourth session witnessed wide participation from local and international companies and institutions, as requests to participate in the challenge exceeded the target number by (170%). “.

Challenge goals
He added: “The challenge aims to expand the use of self-driving transportation at all levels, and to encourage leading companies in this field, with the aim of dealing with current challenges, such as the challenge of the first and last mile for passengers to reach their final destinations, traffic congestion, and the decrease in the number of users of public transportation. Explaining that self-driving transportation has become a fundamental pillar of the Authority’s strategy, and to this end, we are working to launch many innovative initiatives, so that self-driving transportation becomes a reality and a tangible reality in Dubai.”

Al Tayer stressed that the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport contributed to consolidating the position of the Emirate of Dubai as a global capital for leadership in self-driving mobility, enhancing its leadership and global position in innovation and designing the future, creating opportunities, strengthening partnerships between the government and private sectors, and supporting research and development in various sectors. The vitality for Dubai to become one of the best global economic cities according to its agenda: (D33), and to double the size of its economy in the coming years.

Challenge standards
It should be noted that the organizing committee for the challenge set criteria for qualifying applicants, the most important of which are the entity’s credibility, its future vision, and relevant skills and experiences. Participants in the different categories were evaluated according to their performance in several tests based on the following criteria:
•Technical ability and experience: This includes vehicle construction, flexibility, autonomous mobility technology, and command and control system.
•The commercial dimension: It includes operability, added value, and connection to the needs of the Emirate of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.
•Operation and service: It includes innovative solutions, method of operation, ability to provide services, working hours, and integration between means of smart transportation.