The third edition of the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport is set to kick off on September 26 (Tuesday), 2023, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

This edition of the first-of-its-kind event in the Middle East, is being held under the theme: "Empowering Mobility 4.0”, WAM said in a report.

The two-day event, being held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Chairman of the Executive Council, will see the honouring of the winners of the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport. It carries a total prize money of $2.3 million, with $2 million for the Industry Leaders category and $300,000 for the Local Academia category.

With a focus on "Self-Driving Buses”, the congress has attracted about 2,000 participants from around the world. It features 53 speakers and encompasses 18 seminars and workshops, eight discussion panels, five parallel sessions, and two knowledge sessions hosted by the International Society of Automotive Engineers.

It includes top executives, researchers, experts, and developers of autonomous mobility technology.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said: “RTA’s hosting of the congress, challenge, and accompanying exhibition are consistent with its efforts to realise Dubai’s Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy aimed to transform 25% of mobility journeys in Dubai into smart and driverless journeys by 2030.”

“The congress seeks to explore top practices and exchange ideas in discussion panels, seminars, and workshops to review the latest developments and innovations in autonomous mobility. Furthermore, it aims to elevate community awareness of the latest and future transportation technologies and gauge their impact on investments and mobility strategies.”

Sam Rogers (Flying Man), Chief Designer and Test Pilot at Gravity Industries, will be the keynote speaker of the opening session of the congress. He will discuss the future of mobility in the Gravity Jet Suit.

The congress is accompanied by a special exhibition for self-driving transport in which 40 exhibitors representing leading companies are participating. The list includes General Motors’ Cruise, the Arabian Gulf Mechanical Centre, United Motors and Heavy Equipment Company, Ruptella, SGS Gulf, Al Naboodah, Trapeze, Minus Zero, Dubai Technology, Talabat, and Bystrak.

These companies will showcase the latest technologies in smart and sustainable mobility. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the features of Cruise autonomous vehicles, which will be launched in Dubai at the end of this year in cooperation with Cruise, the leading manufacturer of autonomous vehicles.

RTA co-hosts the Dubai World Congress and Challenge for Self-Driving Transport with the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIES), the Museum of the Future, and the International Society of Automotive Engineers.

The congress is sponsored by United Motors and Heavy Equipment Company, Swaidan Trading Company - Al Naboodah, Arabian Gulf Mechanical Centre, Trapeze Middle East, Mappable, Dubai Taxi, Talabat, Aminco Security Services LLC, Dollar Car Rental, and the Khatib & Alami - Consolidated Engineering Company. – TradeArabia News Service