Latest news with #smartmobility
Gulf Business
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Gulf Business
Timeline revealed: Driverless Ubers to hit Dubai roads
Image credit: Dubai Media Office/Website Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER), a global leader in ride-hailing and delivery, and WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD), a leading autonomous driving technology firm. Under the agreement, autonomous vehicles will begin pilot operations via the Uber app in Dubai later this year. Read- The initial phase will feature autonomous vehicles operating with a safety driver onboard to monitor performance and ensure safety. The full commercial rollout of driverless services is scheduled for 2026, Field preparations for the pilot program are currently underway, led by Uber and WeRide with strategic oversight and support from the RTA. Image credit: Dubai Media Office/Website The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA; Madhu Kannan, Chief Business Officer at Uber; and Ryan Zhan, Regional General Manager of Middle East and Africa at WeRide. The agreement was signed by senior representatives from all three organizations, including Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA's Public Transport Agency; Frans Hiemstra, Regional General Manager for MEA at Uber; and Eric Dong, Director of Capital Markets and Corporate Development at WeRide. Supporting Dubai's smart mobility vision Mattar Al Tayer hailed the agreement as a strategic step toward positioning Dubai as a global leader in smart and sustainable transport solutions. 'The introduction of autonomous vehicles in Dubai represents a significant leap toward a smart and sustainable mobility future, aligned with the leadership's vision to transform Dubai into the world's smartest city,' Al Tayer said. 'This initiative supports the Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to convert 25 per cent of all journeys in Dubai to autonomous transport by 2030.' Al Tayer emphasised that this agreement reflects Dubai's commitment to adopting advanced technologies and innovative transport solutions that align with global best practices. Strengthening global partnerships In his remarks, Al Tayer highlighted the role of global collaboration in advancing autonomous mobility. 'The RTA is expanding its network of international partners to deploy a diverse range of autonomous mobility solutions, including self-driving taxis, air taxis, and marine transport modes,' he said. 'This will enhance road safety, improve quality of life for residents and visitors, and support first and last-mile connectivity across the public transport network.' He added that the transition to autonomous mobility is no longer a futuristic concept but an emerging reality. 'Technology developers and governments worldwide are accelerating efforts to build infrastructure and regulatory frameworks that enable the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles,' Al Tayer noted. Uber and WeRide align with Dubai's vision Frans Hiemstra, Regional General Manager for the Middle East and Africa at Uber, underscored the importance of the Dubai launch in Uber's global strategy. 'At Uber, we are building the future of transportation—autonomous, electric, and shared,' Hiemstra said. 'We're excited to launch in Dubai with WeRide as our first technology partner. This marks a key milestone in making autonomous vehicle services more accessible globally.' Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer and Head of International at WeRide, echoed the sentiment, calling the MoU a major step forward in the company's regional expansion. 'The Middle East is a strategic priority for us,' Li said. 'Just last month, we expanded our partnership with Uber to deploy robotaxis in 15 additional cities globally. This new agreement with RTA and Uber strengthens our commitment to Dubai's goal of making 25 per cent of all transportation autonomous by 2030.' Li added that WeRide's advanced autonomous driving technology and global deployment experience position it to be a key enabler of this transformation. Conclusion The collaboration between RTA, Uber, and WeRide marks a pivotal milestone in Dubai's efforts to lead the world in autonomous mobility. With pilot testing set to begin by the end of 2025 and a full commercial launch planned for 2026, Dubai is firmly on track to become a global testbed for cutting-edge transportation technologies.
South China Morning Post
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
After CATL's IPO spark, China's EV leaders bank on Hong Kong for growth funds
More than a dozen smart mobility companies from mainland China are making a beeline to raise funds in Hong Kong, capitalising on the growing appetite among global investors for the country's unpolished industrial gems. Advertisement The prospective initial public offerings (IPOs) from electric vehicle (EV) assemblers like Chery Automobile and Seres Group to autonomous driving technology providers such as are expected to enhance China's leading automotive technologies on the global stage, bankers and analysts said. 'They gravitate to Hong Kong where international investors are actively hunting for China's next industry leaders, those with the potential to grab a considerable share of the global market,' said Ding Haifeng, a consultant at Integrity, a Shanghai-based financial advisory firm. Successful IPOs 'would be an endorsement of Chinese EV makers and supply-chain vendors', he added. 03:30 Global carmakers cede world's largest auto show to Chinese EVs Global carmakers cede world's largest auto show to Chinese EVs Some of the candidates could launch jumbo deals, with proceeds exceeding US$1 billion each, Ding added, which could further strengthen Hong Kong's leading position as the world's busiest venue for IPOs this year. Advertisement
Trade Arabia
01-06-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Korean group to develop hitech mobility solutions for Diriyah project
Diriyah Company, a dynamic mixed-use developer transforming Saudi Arabia's historic birthplace into a vibrant new capital of culture and entertainment, has signed an agreement with Korea's Kakao Mobility, thus setting the stage for development and deployment of advanced mobility technologies within the first phase of its flagship sub-project under the broader Diriyah master plan. A unit of Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF, Diriyah is helping shape the future of Saudi Arabia's most iconic destination, thus honouring its heritage while embracing innovation. Diriyah Company said this strategic partnership aims to leverage innovative smart parking technologies and develop digital platforms that promote seamless, efficient mobility for its residents and visitors. Under this agreement, both parties will collaborate on an in-depth assessment to support the development of smart parking infrastructure and digital platforms at selected sites within the first phase of the Diriyah project. This includes integrating digital parking systems, enabling seamless data connectivity, optimizing user experiences, and designing efficient operational workflows, it stated. Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo said the agreement marks a significant advancement in smart mobility, affirming the company's commitment to delivering world-class projects that will serve millions of visitors, enhance quality of life in Diriyah, and support the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Arab News
01-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's Diriyah Co., Kakao Mobility sign deal to boost smart mobility
RIYADH: Diriyah Co., backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, has signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea-based Kakao Mobility to enhance smart mobility infrastructure across the historic city of Diriyah. Announced in a post on X, the agreement is designed to develop integrated transportation solutions to accommodate the 50 million annual visitors projected during the first phase of the Diriyah project. The partnership will see Kakao Mobility contribute to the implementation of digital transport systems, seamless transit services, and smart parking infrastructure. The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader push to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil, as outlined in Vision 2030. 'Mobility to shape the future of urban mobility. This collaboration brings smart, sustainable solutions to life, enhancing the digital movement experience for over 50 million annual visits by 2030,' Diriyah Co. stated in its post on X. The agreement marks the beginning of a phased rollout, starting with a smart parking pilot. The project also includes plans for a fully integrated prototype for smart parking and the deployment of advanced digital systems to streamline urban movement within Diriyah. In addition to enhancing visitor mobility, the collaboration supports Saudi Arabia's National Tourism Strategy, which aims to attract 150 million visitors annually by 2030. The company emphasized that the digital platform under development will connect key destinations within Diriyah, contributing to sustainable urban mobility and reinforcing the Kingdom's commitment to innovation and smart city solutions. Once completed, the Diriyah development is expected to contribute SR18.6 billion ($4.96 billion) to the Kingdom's gross domestic product and create approximately 178,000 jobs. In April, Diriyah Co. awarded a contract worth SR5.1 billion for the construction of the Royal Diriyah Opera House — a major cultural project. The contract was granted to El-Seif Engineering Contracting, Midmac Contracting Co. W.L.L., and China State Construction Engineering Corp.
Asharq Al-Awsat
01-06-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Diriyah Company Partners with Kakao Mobility to Develop Cutting-Edge Mobility Solutions
Saudi Arabia's Diriyah Company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea's Kakao Mobility. The MoU sets the stage for developing and deploying advanced mobility technologies within the first phase of Diriyah, a flagship sub-project under the broader Diriyah master plan. A statement from Diriyah Company said the partnership aims to leverage innovative smart parking technologies and develop digital platforms that promote seamless, efficient mobility for Diriyah's residents and visitors. By integrating global best practices and innovations in smart mobility, the initiative supports Diriyah's transformation into a premier global cultural and tourism destination, with a target of attracting more than 50 million visits annually by 2030. Under the agreement, both parties will collaborate on an in-depth assessment to support the development of smart parking infrastructure and digital platforms at selected sites within the first phase of the Diriyah project. This includes integrating digital parking systems, enabling seamless data connectivity, optimizing user experiences, and designing efficient operational workflows. Group CEO of Diriyah Company Jerry Inzerillo stated that the agreement marks a significant advancement in smart mobility, underlining the company's commitment to delivering world-class projects that will serve millions of visitors, boost quality of life in Diriyah, and support the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
