Supported by Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility) has organised a series of workshops focused on smart and autonomous transport systems across air, maritime, and land sectors. The sessions were attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Saeed bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, and Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre, along with senior officials and key stakeholders from the government and private sectors. These efforts aim to enhance the readiness of infrastructure and legislation to adopt smart mobility solutions in Abu Dhabi.
The workshop was held as part of the centre’s awareness campaign, which includes initiatives, programmes, and workshops aimed at strengthening adherence to regulatory frameworks and promoting a culture of responsible operations. The workshop aimed to enhance direct engagement with operators and discuss challenges related to the drone ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, contributing to the development of regulatory procedures and the improvement of operational efficiency.
The workshop witnessed the participation of more than 60 government and private drone operating entities, with over 100 representatives from the public and private sectors attending. Participants were also introduced to the deployed Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) system, along with the updated UTM platform, contributing to enhanced operational efficiency and strengthened oversight of operations.
With the special attendance of His Excellency Dr Mohamed Alkuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, Abu Dhabi Mobility organised a dedicated workshop on autonomous maritime transport. The workshop is part of the centre’s ongoing plans, which include programmes and workshops aimed at strengthening collaboration among relevant sectors to support the growth of the maritime sector, thereby reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global maritime hub. The session witnessed the participation of more than 25 government and private entities, with over 60 representatives in attendance. It focused on enhancing integration between regulatory entities, developers, and operators, and on addressing the challenges associated with implementing autonomous maritime transport, in order to develop regulatory frameworks and improve the efficiency of maritime operations in the emirate.
His Excellency Dr Mohamed Alkuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, said: "Current efforts are focused on developing the maritime sector’s ecosystem and strengthening its readiness to align with global transformations, particularly in the field of autonomous maritime transport technologies. This includes addressing the most prominent operational and regulatory challenges associated with adopting these advanced technologies, while also anticipating future opportunities that can enhance the efficiency of maritime operations and achieve higher standards of safety and sustainability.
"The outcomes of this workshop will directly contribute to the development of regulatory and legislative frameworks that keep pace with rapid technological advancements, enhance the competitiveness of the maritime sector, and promote integration among all relevant stakeholders. This, in turn, will have a positive impact on Abu Dhabi’s economic growth and reinforcing its position as a leading global maritime hub."
The centre organised a specialised workshop to discuss the future of autonomous heavy vehicles and delivery vehicles, with the attendance of His Excellency Hamad Adel Al Afeefi, Executive Director of the Intelligent Transportation Systems Sector at the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), as part of ongoing efforts to advance smart logistics mobility and reinforce the emirate’s position as a leading hub for advanced transport technologies. The workshop also brought together more than 60 participants from various government and private entities operating in this sector.
The workshop focused on aligning legislation, integrating technologies and infrastructure, and strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors. It also addressed the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing autonomous heavy vehicles and delivery vehicles to support regulatory frameworks and ensure safe, effective deployment.
The workshop included a review of Abu Dhabi’s plan to adopt autonomous heavy and delivery vehicles, highlighting achievements to date and discussing operational and technical requirements as well as future opportunities.
Leading companies delivered specialised presentations, and the workshop concluded with several key outcomes. These included regulatory and legislative recommendations to support autonomous vehicle operations, the development of an integrated ecosystem framework, and the identification of challenges and proposed solutions. It also established an executive roadmap with a clear timeline, identified infrastructure and technical requirements, and explored investment opportunities and strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors.
Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), said: "The development of an integrated smart transport ecosystem is part of Abu Dhabi's efforts to enhance the efficiency of the air, maritime, and land transport sectors and adopt the latest global technologies. These efforts focus on aligning the directions of relevant stakeholders and enhancing integration between the public and private sectors, supporting the development of advanced regulatory and operational frameworks that keep pace with technological advancement and contribute to achieving the highest levels of safety, efficiency, and sustainability."
