The Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC) and ASPIRE, the innovation accelerator of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), have announced a strategic collaboration to develop, validate and deploy next-generation technologies for Abu Dhabi’s construction and infrastructure sectors. The partnership focuses on enhancing the performance, sustainability, and resilience of capital projects across the built environment.
The agreement designates the built environment as a strategic research focus across the ATRC ecosystem and lays the groundwork for integrating advanced technologies into future infrastructure development. ASPIRE will lead programme delivery and industry engagement, working with stakeholders to identify sector-specific challenges and translate them into actionable use cases and proof-of-concept projects. These projects will be executed through applied research from selected centres within the Technology Innovation Institute (TII).
The agreement was signed by Eng. Maysarah Mahmoud Eid, Director-General of ADPIC, and Stephane Timpano, Chief Executive Officer of ASPIRE.
Together, ADPIC and ASPIRE will focus on three core domains to drive innovation across the built environment. Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and digital science will be applied to optimise infrastructure design, improve operational efficiency, and generate deeper insights into community needs and system behaviours. The collaboration will also focus on developing and validating advanced, sustainable construction materials, including recycled composites and low-carbon alternatives, to improve structural durability, reduce lifecycle costs, and support the UAE’s environmental goals. In parallel, the agreement will accelerate the development and deployment of autonomous robotics for infrastructure applications such as intelligent inspection, predictive maintenance, and precision construction.
Eng. Maysarah Eid said: “This collaboration with ASPIRE marks a significant milestone in our journey to embed innovation and advanced technology into the very fabric of Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure. By integrating cutting-edge research from across the ATRC ecosystem into our projects, we are not only building smarter, more resilient infrastructure but also fostering a culture of innovation that will attract global talent and investment, aligning perfectly with our ambitious five-year roadmap for a sustainable and thriving emirate.”
Stephane Timpano said: “At ASPIRE, our role is to turn advanced research into solutions that directly serve society. This partnership reflects the UAE’s model of challenge-driven innovation, taking science out of the lab and into the foundations of our cities. By enhancing the use of autonomy in infrastructure, from robotics that can safely inspect and maintain projects to systems that improve efficiency and reduce costs, we are ensuring that advanced technologies are deployed at scale to deliver measurable value for Abu Dhabi’s communities.”
The collaboration will follow a structured implementation framework focused on challenge identification, use case development, applied testing, and real-world validation. This process ensures that innovation is grounded in industry need, tested in operational environments, and positioned for long-term scalability and impact.
This strategic alliance between ADPIC and ASPIRE establishes a powerful platform for accelerating the integration of advanced technologies into the built environment. The partnership strengthens Abu Dhabi’s commitment to liveability, sustainability, and economic diversification by fostering a dynamic ecosystem for infrastructure-focused R&D. Through this collaboration, the emirate is positioning itself as a global testbed for infrastructure innovation and setting new benchmarks for how cities can evolve through science and technology.
