The island community of SHA Emirates in Abu Dhabi will receive a ‘AI-enabled autonomous transportation ecosystem’.
Bayanat, an ADX-listed AI company, and Imkan Properties have signed a memorandum of understanding for a smart mobility infrastructure at SHA Island Emirates in AlJurf. The island, dubbed the world’s first ‘healthy living community,’ stretches 1.6 kilometers of seafront and covers 380 hectares.
The MoU was signed to create ‘a highly autonomous and sustainable infrastructure on a wellness-focused island, minimizing the reliance on manned vehicles for the transportation of people, goods, and services’.
Bayanat stated that the island will rely on manned vehicles to a minimum. Imkan will build the project infrastructure, while Bayanat will create the digital infrastructure for self-driving vehicles and unmanned systems, such as HD maps and positioning. Bayanat will also roll out its Smart Mobility Solutions.
The MOU was signed by Abdulla Al Shamsi, COO of Bayanat, and Suwadain AlDhaheri, CEO of Imkan.
Al Shamsi said: “We are excited about this joint project with IMKAN Properties, which will combine our expertise to create a unique concept globally – a healthy-living island featuring autonomous vehicles.”
Al Shamsi stated that Bayanat’s ‘digital twin’ technology will help Imkan achieve his vision for SHA Island Emirates by providing an advanced virtual replica of the island’s entire infrastructure.
How will it work?
“This technology will enable real-time monitoring and management of autonomous transportation systems, ensuring seamless and efficient operations without human intervention,” said a statement.
Bayanat’s digital twin will enable predictive maintenance, optimize traffic flow, and improve the safety and reliability of autonomous vehicles.
Shamsi added: “We believe that the island’s transport infrastructure will play an integral role in enabling this objective. Our long-standing expertise in developing smart mobility solutions, which includes EV infrastructure, will allow us to create a quiet, clean and reliable transportation infrastructure on the island.”
The collaboration is not Bayanat’s first foray into autonomous driving technology. Bayanat and Abu Dhabi Mobility collaborated to launch the TXAI pilot in 2021. The project is the MENA region’s first Level 4 autonomous ride-hailing service.
Since its launch, the autonomous transportation fleet, which includes robo-taxis, minibusses, and ART (autonomous road transport), has traveled over 500,000 kilometers and completed nearly 16,000 rides.