AI is currently bringing many opportunities to the industry and presenting solutions to some of the key challenges in mobility, especially when it comes to effectiveness, efficiency and optimization.
Driving this quest is growing consumer demand for adaptable, environmentally friendly options. Consumers are increasingly turning to convenient, on-demand mobility services such as ride-sharing and bike-sharing, reflecting a shift away from traditional car ownership toward more flexible, cost-effective modes of transportation.
Increasing governments offering tax rebates, subsidies and infrastructure support to make EVs more affordable and spur market growth are also playing a key role in driving the expansion of AI-enabled mobility solutions, although the level of acceptance varies by region.
Dubai, for example, has recognized that mobility, and specifically green mobility, is the future of transportation: According to the Global Electric Mobility Readiness Index, demand for electric vehicles in the UAE is expected to grow at an annual rate of 30% between 2022 and 2028. And a recent study by the Oliver Wyman Forum and the University of California ranked Dubai first in the Middle East and Africa for urban mobility readiness.
The future of mobility
Examples of this readiness are evident across the region, but one special economic zone is proving to be a key partner for entrepreneurs and startups exploring mobility solutions: Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) is a global business hub and special economic zone focused on knowledge and innovation, delivering sustainable economic growth through various industry clusters, including the Future Mobility Association.
Aimed at fostering innovation, stimulating economic growth, facilitating knowledge transfer and providing access to the zone’s talent pool, the Future Mobility cluster will offer its members a number of business opportunities, including access to Dubai’s Experimental Zone. Located in DSO, the zone is a real-world testbed designed to support the development, evaluation and demonstration of robotics and autonomous systems.
Last year, the DSO hosted participants for a three-week beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone delivery trial conducted by Jeebly UAE and Skye Air Mobility to test their products in the experimental zone. The delivery trial showcased the safe and secure transportation of a wide range of consumer goods within the DSO, highlighting how the economic zone provides an advanced infrastructure for testing new solutions.
Muammar Al Khateri, chief executive officer of engineering and sustainability at Dubai Integrated Economic Zone Authority (DIEZ), noted that DSO welcomes “a large number of innovators” from different sectors to test drone delivery concepts. “We are pleased to pilot Sky Air and Zeebly’s BVLOS drone delivery system at DSO and provide our expertise to support the success of the trials,” he said.
DSO is organizing the MENA EV Show as an event to foster discussion on the latest in mobility, AI and EVs. The 2023 event featured speakers from representatives of the UAE government, DSO, Porsche, Hitachi and Volvo, and panels addressed questions on advancing electric mobility and supporting startup innovation in the region. The next conference is scheduled to take place in November 2024, building on the community launched at last year’s event.
Testing challenges as technology scales
Being able to test new technologies in a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment is key to success. Pilots provide useful insights during the early stages of development, but robust and extensive testing is necessary if a company wants to scale to a commercial level. During the testing period, not only can beta users provide real-time feedback on their experience with the product and highlight any issues that need to be addressed, but it also provides an opportunity to gather further insights into the company’s operational infrastructure, giving management the opportunity to eliminate inefficiencies and make necessary organizational changes.
But to achieve this, they need the help of expert networks and funding partners that can help SMEs and startups bring their ideas to life. DSO’s resources have already been used for a range of innovative tests and competitions, such as the one conducted by Jeebly. Last summer, DSO’s Dubai Experimental Zone was used to test a range of autonomous buses presented by companies and students from around the world at the third Dubai World Self-Driving Transport Challenge 2023. And in May 2023, Faqih University Hospital conducted its own successful drone trial with DSO, in which medicines were delivered by drone from a DSO-based hospital to patients’ homes.
Debates continue to rage over the comparative merits of EVs, AVs and drones as alternative modes of transport of the future. But realising the full potential of Industry 4.0 and 5.0 requires investment in all aspects of mobility. Testing such systems is also vital to the development of the MENA region, and through conferences, investments and workshops, Dubai Silicon Oasis is at the forefront of this future wave of mobility.
To learn more about mobility and testing techniques for scaling with DSO, download our free paper below.
