Automechanika Dubai 2024 has proven to be a key platform for advancing Dubai’s vision of future mobility, with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) emphasising the importance of public-private collaboration to achieve 25% smart and driverless transport in Dubai by 2030.
The Innovation4Mobility feature at the event, running from 10-12 December 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, brought together experts to discuss the collaborative ecosystems necessary to drive innovation in the mobility sector.
Dubai’s Self-Driving Strategy
Under Dubai’s Self-Driving Strategy, the city aims for 25% of all transportation trips to be smart and driverless by 2030. This ambitious plan is expected to deliver transformative benefits, including improved safety by 12%, reduced emissions by 12%, and a 20% increase in mobility efficiency. The annual economic impact of these advancements is estimated at over AED 22 billion.
Khaled Al Awadhi, Director of the Transportation Systems Department at RTA, highlighted the critical role of partnerships: “The success pillars for Dubai’s innovative mobility projects include leadership, vision, team building, and infrastructure. Collaboration between public institutions and technology providers is essential to building an innovation ecosystem. The private sector is vital in testing, certification, and R&D for autonomous solutions.”
Khaled Al Awadhi added: “The private sector plays a vital role in testing, certification, and research and development for autonomous transport solutions in Dubai.”
Showcasing Emerging Mobility Technologies
The discussions at Innovation4Mobility showcased Dubai’s forward-thinking approach, featuring robot taxis, self-driving buses, driverless metros, marine services, and cutting-edge technologies like Hyperloop, vertical take-off and landing systems, and AI-driven guidance tools. Sustainable solutions such as electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-fuelled vehicles further underscored the city’s commitment to climate-neutral mobility.
Keynote speakers also addressed global trends in electrification, connected mobility, and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), marking the event as a milestone in the journey towards smarter, more efficient transport systems by 2030.
Driving Global Collaboration
Mahmut Gazi Bilikozen, Portfolio Director of Mobility & Logistics at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, remarked: “The Innovation4Mobility feature highlights the UAE’s dedication to redefining transportation. By bringing together stakeholders, the platform fosters collaboration to address challenges and unlock opportunities in the rapidly evolving mobility ecosystem. It’s inspiring to witness the partnerships that will shape the future of the industry.”
Focus on Africa’s Automotive Market
Automechanika Dubai 2024 also celebrated the return of AfriConnections, a platform bridging African buyers with global suppliers. Key sessions spotlighted opportunities and challenges in Africa’s automotive aftermarket, with thought leaders sharing insights into growth prospects and strategies for fostering cross-regional collaboration.
- Claire Dawai, CEO of the Sub-Sahara Africa Council of Entrepreneurs, explored future growth prospects in the African automotive sector.
- Zeeshan Raz, Manager – International Lubricants Sales at ENOC, discussed trends and opportunities in the Africa lubricants market.
- Ashwin Radhakrishnan, Assistant Manager – MoIAT Programs at SGS Gulf Limited, provided insights on navigating regulatory compliance between Africa and the UAE.
A Platform for Innovation and Collaboration
Automechanika Dubai continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the global mobility landscape by uniting innovators, industry leaders, and policymakers. As the UAE positions itself as a hub for smart and sustainable transportation, the event underscores the importance of collaboration to drive the future of mobility.