The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has announced the opening of registration for the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, starting from tomorrow (May 1) through the website www.sdchallenge.com. HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, had previously unveiled the initiative in collaboration with Khalifa University and NewCities International Organisation.

“Registration for the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport starts tomorrow (May 1), finalists will be announced next October, and winners will be unveiled on 15 October 2019. The total prize money of the Challenge exceeds USD $5 million,” said Adel Shakri, Director of Transportation Systems cum Head of the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport Committee.

“Launching the Challenge is part of RTA’s efforts to support the leading role of Dubai in Self-Driving Transport and its commitment to realise the Government vision for transforming 25% of total mobility trips in Dubai into driverless trips by 2030. Rolled out by the RTA, in collaboration with Khalifa University and NewCities International Organisation, the initiative aims to be a global platform for driverless transport. Through this initiative, the RTA is seeking to bring together prominent experts, specialists, policymakers, technology drivers, researchers and academicians. It will attempt to come up with the best ideas & visions that serve the Dubai Government’s drive, achieves RTA’s first strategic goal (Smart Dubai), and realise Dubai initiative (Smart Dubai),” he continued.

“The Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport targets big companies, start-ups and local and international universities. About USD $3 million has been allocated to mega companies, USD $1.5m for start-ups, and USD $600,000 for universities and academic institutions (USD $300,000 for local universities, and a similar amount for international universities. The Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport has become a key pillar of RTA’s strategy. The RTA is, therefore, launching a host of innovative initiatives such that mobility can be a reality on the ground,” concluded Sharkri.