The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) concluded the second round of the Dubai Future Accelerators (DFA) with 28 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) signed between Dubai government departments and innovative companies from around the world.

Twelve entities took part in the successful second round of the DFA program, which connects emerging technology companies with Dubai government bodies to test new approaches at the city- scale.

The Road and Transport Authority and Uber agreed to explore what regulations would be required to test autonomous flying vehicles in Dubai. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) signed four MoUs with Funzi, Proversity, Zspace, and iMake, who will launch an e-training program for schools in Dubai and train Emirati nationals in 21st century skills.

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) signed an MoU with Desolinator to test a household desalination plant that uses solar energy to turn seawater into drinking water; other MoU's were signed with Mulk holding and SolarBanks. Moreover, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) signed agreements with ASG Medical Equipment, ArcSecond and Photothera Labs to develop advanced health solutions, including a new technology to treat the eye retina for diabetic patients.

Du signed an MoU with Ultimate AI to use artificial intelligence to dramatically improve customer service in both Arabic and English. The Department of Naturalization and Residency Dubai (DNRD) will work with ObjectTech and Luther Systems to streamline the process for becoming resident in Dubai using biometric and blockchain technology. Dubai Economy (formally DED) signed MoUs with Otonomos and MarketIQ to create new and innovative licensing procedures, reducing processing time for applications by 80 per cent.

Dubai Police (DP) signed three agreements with Papilon, Velours, and Parabon, to deploy facial recognition glasses, a DNA-image database, and indoor mapping technologies that increase efficiency by 90 per cent. Etisalat will work with Mobile Doctors, AlTibbi, and Made of Genes in order to bring the latest telemedicine technologies to the large medical institutions in the region, as well as to pilot a "geno-bank" to Dubai.

"The United Arab Emirates is now a world-class destination for innovators to come and work with our government institutions to shape the future of vital sectors," said Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), as he attended the closing ceremony.

"The UAE is offering technology companies an ideal platform to test global technologies and future solutions, which cements its leading position in the future industry and in the global charge to shape the future of the most vital sectors today."

The list of MoUs included agreements between Smart Dubai, Avanza Solutions, and Consensys to standardize government services payment gateways using blockchain technology in Dubai. The Dubai Municipality signed an MoU with Renca to legalize 3D printing building material, as a way to promote 3D printing in construction. They also signed with Winnow to encourage the deployment of the Internet of Things (IoT) to reduce food waste across the hospitality sector.

"The Dubai Future Accelerators program sets an example and a business model where various sectors - public and private - can come together to draw up scenarios to face the challenges of the future, and benefit from the opportunities to secure sustainable development and prosperity for future generations," Sheikh Hamdan added.

"The second edition of the program witnessed seismic shifts in the field of future technologies. This reiterates the fact that UAE is now a global hub for exporting advanced technologies and a platform to exchange experience and learn about the latest developments. Furthermore, the initiatives launched today will enhance the program's reputation as the world's best platform to connect the private and public sectors to build the future."

DFA's second round also launched the DFA Future Team Heroes Award. This was given to the government team that came up with innovative solutions, added significant value to the program and boosted efforts to realise the forward-thinking vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who has called for increased cross-sectoral cooperation. – TradeArabia News Service