Today's Edition
HALA AL KHAYYAT (ABU DHABI)
With the participation of more than 80 global mobility experts and innovators, the inaugural DRIFTx, showcasing autonomous and sustainable mobility developments and trends across the world, concluded in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
The second day of the event, during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, hosted at Yas Marina Circuit, witnessed presentations by leading companies in the sector and a display of flying taxis, driverless vehicles and autonomous boats.
Among the innovations featured include the unmanned aerial vehicle Big Drone, as well as an urban air taxi and a short range unmanned cargo aircraft by Wings Logistics, a company specialising in smart air mobility.
Also participating in the event, Space Falcon exhibited self-monitoring unmanned aerial vehicles, featuring a takeoff and landing station equipped with self-charging capabilities.
In the field of ground mobility solutions, A2Z showcased its remote control system, while Wayride exhibited its self-driving vehicles.
On the maritime mobility front, Fargo showcased two unmanned maritime vehicles .
In addition to global mobility experts, as many as 75 international exhibitors participated in DRIFTx to discuss the latest trends and showcase the most prominent innovations in the sustainable transportation sector.
Adam Goldstein, Founder and CEO of Archer Aviation, a leading electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft company, told Aletihad that Abu Dhabi provides a unique opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of smart transportation solutions.
DRIFTx succeeded in attracting prominent global companies active in land, sea, and air transportation sectors and displaying the most advanced smart and self-driving transportation technologies, he added.
Eric Allison, Head of Product at Joby Aviation, said that the UAE is one of the leading countries in the world in encouraging the adoption of this technology.
He noted that the company announced a partnership with the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai to launch one of the first air taxi services by the end of 2025. He added that the firm is looking forward to launching the experience in Abu Dhabi, especially since clean air flights have been adopted throughout the UAE.
Allison said that Joby Aviation showcased a model of vertical takeoff and landing electric aircraft.
Furthermore, he noted that the Abu Dhabi-held event offered an opportunity for a series of constructive dialogues and unique experiences, with over 2,000 participants from the global transportation community, including international institutions, government entities, investors, academia, regulatory bodies, start-ups, and civil society organisations.
Through conferences, meetings, and entertainment activities, DRIFTx aimed to promote sustainable air, land, and sea transportation systems and support advanced urban mobility technologies.
The event was supported by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) global technology hub in Abu Dhabi, the Department of Municipalities and Transport, and the Emirates Center for Mobiltiy Research (ECMR), affiliated with the UAE University.
Dr. Hamad Al Jassmi, Director of ECMR, said that the centre’s participation in the exhibition reflects its strategic academic partnership to support national goals through dialogue and cooperation with relevant entities in the transportation sector, contributing to shaping the future of sustainable mobility, and solidifying Abu Dhabi's status as a global capital for sustainable mobility.
The centre, with over 20 years of experience in the field of applied research, took part in dialogue sessions and organised three sessions, including a student debate, focusing on smart transport, transitioning to electric vehicles and driverless vehicles, he added.
Also on the sidelines of the event, Abu Dhabi University and FEST Auto Global Holding Ltd, a global mobility solutions company, signed an agreement to promote innovation in sustainable urban mobility.
Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, said the agreement marks a major milestone in the University’s efforts to foster innovation and sustainable development in the region.
Alishir Khalil, CEO of FEST, said the cooperation agreement confirms the company's commitment to leveraging advanced technology and research to find suitable solutions to urban transportation challenges, in line with the UAE's vision for sustainable development and consolidating the country's leading position in global innovation and environmental stewardship.
FEST has established its global headquarters at the Abu Dhabi Global Market.
ADIO is supporting FEST in its endeavours to ensure a smooth and seamless business setup in Abu Dhabi.
Nayef Shahin, Director of Innovation & Knowledge at ADIO, said ADIO is committed to broadening the prospects of smart mobility by supporting global pioneers such as FEST, who are among a growing number of global companies that have selected Abu Dhabi to expand their businesses, benefiting from the emirate's position as one of the best global investment destinations, providing an enabling environment that allows these companies to develop the best innovations in smart and self-driving vehicle sector.
