Future mobility conference has 22 countries represented

An all-electric bus, self-driving truck, an electric motorcycle and various new types and models of luxury vehicles were showcased at the 5th International Conference on Future Mobility in Dubai on November 26 and 27.

More than 450 major manufacturers from 22 countries, automotive and modern technology experts and government agencies attended.

The event included the first self-driving heavy vehicle driving about 140km from Abu Dhabi to Dubai – the longest trip for this type of vehicle in the United Arab Emirates.

Experts discussed the latest technological advancements and new mobility solutions in the transport sector, such as big data, artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT) and new alternatives set to radically change the transport sector, Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA) director general HE Abdulla Al Maeeni says.

“We tackled cyber security threats in connected mobility, the unique technical requirements for self-driving vehicles, as well as the UAE Government’s initiatives on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.”

“The UAE has been at the forefront of developing alternate modes of mobility with sustainable technologies, prioritising the transformation of current mass transport modes into more efficient and intelligent systems,” he says.

“It also seeks to recognise research undertaken by universities across the region in sustainable mobility, development of supporting infrastructure and digital innovation in mobility.”

ESMA introduced the UAE’s first preparation of a technical regulation, including requirements for self-driving vehicles and safety requirements. Participants were briefed about the use of intelligent mobility systems to improve transport efficiency and electric vehicle charging stations, marking a forward-thinking shift in the transport sector.

The United Kingdom and Netherlands governments presented two case studies on the UK’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure and Amsterdam’s experience in connected and autonomous vehicles.