K2 Company showcases a self-driving surface boat in… "UMEX" 2026
ABU DHABI, January 20, 2020 – K2, a company owned by the Abu Dhabi government and specialized in advanced autonomous systems and technologies supported by artificial intelligence, is participating for the first time in UMEX 2026, at a turning point in its journey to develop solutions for the next generation of autonomous systems.
During the event, the company will showcase a self-driving surface boat that is currently being tested in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority, reflecting the emirate’s commitment to employing the latest technologies to enhance safety, operational readiness and the ability to respond to emergencies.
The displayed boat represents the result of a strategic cooperation focusing on practical deployment and extensive field testing, with an emphasis on emergency response, maritime safety and critical operations. Through this initiative, K2 highlights the ability of locally developed autonomous systems to support civil defense missions, accelerate response time, and operate efficiently and reliably in complex and demanding environments, thus enhancing Abu Dhabi’s leadership in autonomous innovation applications.
As part of the Autonomous Smart Systems Council’s (SASC) strategy to support and enhance Abu Dhabi’s global position in smart mobility systems, K2 is testing an autonomous boat in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority.
Shawn Teo, CEO of K2, said: “Our first participation in UMEX 2026 represents an important step in which we move from the development stage to practical verification of autonomous systems in reality. Cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority allows us to test our technologies in very important scenarios, ensuring that we provide tangible value in areas that require the highest levels of safety, reliability and speed. He added that this project reflects our commitment to developing autonomous solutions that are not limited to innovation only, but are ready for operation and compatible with Abu Dhabi’s vision.” To enhance advanced public safety capabilities.”
Kenitz, the K2 drone racing team, is participating in the A2RL drone racing championship.
“This is not just a competition, but a true testing ground for innovation,” said Waleed Al Balushi, Vice President of Strategy at K2 and Team Leader at Kenitz. “It pushes teams to go beyond theory and apply the latest ideas in real-world conditions, where reliability, adaptability and performance are critical factors. By bringing together the brightest minds and most advanced systems, the tournament brings out the best from participants, encouraging collaboration, creativity and relentless problem-solving, constantly expanding the horizons of what autonomous technologies can achieve, accelerating their development and redefining their boundaries.”
It is noteworthy that the Kenitz team previously participated in the A2RL auto racing league, and won awards for the best performance, in addition to winning first place in the simulator race.
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