HALA AL KHAYAT (ABU DHABI)

The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) announced that 40 AI-equipped smart inspection vehicles are now operational in Abu Dhabi, monitoring any eyesores or damage to infrastructure in public spaces.

Fahad Ali Al Shehhi, Acting Director of the General Appearance Department at the DMT, told Aletihad that the vehicles align with the leadership’s vision to adopt and integrate smart solutions within routine tasks.

Al Shehhi noted that the vehicles help monitor any damage to infrastructure in public spaces that lessen the overall appearance of the Emirate. The vehicles use advanced systems to conduct their duties, including high-definition cameras and artificial intelligence techniques, to identify and report any findings at specific locations to the relevant authorities for prompt removal.

Of the 40 vehicles, 15 were deployed in Abu Dhabi city, 13 in Al Ain, and 12 in Al Dhafra region, Al Shehhi said, adding that this year, the DMT plans to add 50 additional vehicles for a total of 90 by the end of 2024.

Since the vehicles began operation in December, they have successfully detected 2,281 issues. The project is currently in its trial phase, working to enhance the integrity of its machine learning system by monitoring all potential deformations.

Al Shehhi explained that the advanced technology used in the vehicles ensures that accurate and immediate information, including the locations, of potential issues is sent to the relevant authorities within a shorter time-frame, enhancing decision making and effective response time.

AI-equipped vehicle systems facilitate procedures for supervisory staff in areas where inspectors do not need to leave the vehicle to initiate inspection procedures. The system does not require any manual intervention by the inspector, saving time and enhancing the overall efficiency of the inspection process.

The launch of smart inspection vehicles confirms the DMT’s commitment to the overall digital transformation journey. By employing artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, and by developing smart city initiatives in various sectors, Abu Dhabi is solidifying its position as a smart and sustainable city. It remains one of the world’s best destinations for living, working, and visiting.

Abu Dhabi maintained its firstplace position as the smartest city in the Middle East and North Africa for 2023 for the third consecutive year, according to the IMD Smart City Index issued by the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland, in collaboration with the Singapore University of Technology and Design. Moreover, the UAE capital ranked 13th among 141 cities included in the current global ranking, surpassing several international capitals, according to the institute’s annual smart cities study. The study included the opinions of residents in 118 cities worldwide.