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Abu Dhabi Launches World’s Biggest Self-Driving Car Race

The Autonomous Racing League will see 10 teams from around the world competing in specially built Dallara Super Formula cars.

Published

1 year ago

October 17, 2023

Nour Nasir

abu dhabi launches world's biggest self-driving car race

Aspire

Abu Dhabi has launched what it calls “the world’s biggest racing league for self-driving cars“. The vehicles use advanced technologies and AI, and the series is aimed at promoting driverless technology.

The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) will take place on April 28, 2024, at the Yas Marina Circuit. The prize fund amounts to $2.25 million, with 10 teams competing for a slice of the winnings. Aspire, the development arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council, revealed its plans for the upcoming race at GITEX Global on Monday.

Autonomous race teams will mostly be made up of universities and research organizations. The event will see a number of countries involved, including the UAE, USA, China, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Singapore, and Switzerland.

For the race, teams will all use the same base vehicle, though they will be allowed to tweak its software algorithms. The machine itself is a brand new Italian-developed Dallara Super Formula SF23. The single-seater uses biocomposite panels made from a mixture of “flax fiber, cork, and recycled carbon fiber”. Weighing in at just under 700kg, the car is the fastest open-wheel racer outside of Formula One, capable of a max speed of 300kph.

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“We will combine state-of-the-art motor racing parts with robotic technology and AI to deliver an extreme sporting experience. Our racing is not just applicable to transportation. It is also useful in advancing sectors such as health care and logistics. And to that end, in addition to car racing, we will stage autonomous drone and buggy racing,” said Tom McCarthy, Aspire’s executive director.

Aspire is taking a similar approach to other autonomous race series, allowing all teams from previous self-driving competitions to participate, along with university-affiliated teams and public and private research institutions. Eventually, organizers hope that some of the advanced technology and robotics used in cars will filter down to regular production vehicles.

Related Topics:Abu Dhabi Artificial Intelligence Automotive

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“AI Seal” Certification Now Required For Dubai Gov Partnerships

The new mandatory certification is designed to build trust in AI companies and create a reliable network of providers for government and public collaboration.

Published

19 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Nour Nasir

ai seal certification now required for dubai gov partnerships

Dubai Media Office

Dubai has introduced the Dubai AI Seal, a certification designed to establish trust in artificial intelligence (AI) companies and solutions. This initiative, directed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, aims to create a reliable network of AI providers which government entities and businesses can collaborate confidently.

Companies must now obtain the AI Seal to qualify for UAE or Dubai government contracts. The Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), which developed the certification, sees it as a competitive edge for companies looking to participate in key national projects. Once certified, businesses will be permitted to showcase the seal across their websites and marketing materials, signaling their credibility and dependability.

The evaluation process will consider six main criteria: the company’s services and operations, the number of employees specializing in AI, ongoing and future projects, as well as existing partnerships with public and private sector entities.

dubai ai seal certification

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, which oversees the DCAI, commented on the initiative’s potential: “This initiative will help create powerful partnerships between the public and private sectors, locally, regionally, and globally. It will help drive new economic opportunities by leveraging AI to serve better the economy, society, and the future we aspire to”.

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The Dubai AI Seal’s goals include providing a clear framework for verifying AI providers, fostering business opportunities for AI companies, and acknowledging the industry’s strategic importance to Dubai’s economy. The initiative emphasizes AI’s role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening collaboration between government bodies and technology firms.

All technology companies operating in Dubai and offering AI-related services or products are eligible to apply for the certification at no cost through the official website.