Dubai has taken another major step towards rolling out autonomous aerial transport.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS) to exchange expertise and coordinate R&D efforts.
They will also work closely on facilitating testing programmes and safety regulations as well as charting out dedicated corridors for air vehicles.
The latest partnership supports the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to transform 25 per cent of all journeys in the emirate into autonomous mode by 2030.
"The two parties pledged to facilitate the procedures and share information about specialist and advanced firms, test programmes, and the specifications of take-off and landing sites for autonomous air vehicles among others," said Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of the RTA's Public Transport Agency and Head of the Autonomous Air Vehicle Project Team.
"Autonomous air vehicles are a key component of the vision of the UAE and Dubai and engaging in this cooperation will bolster their ability to anticipate the future requirements worldwide," added Ibrahim Ahli, Deputy CEO at DANS.
.@RTA_dubai signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the #Dubai Air Navigation Services in support of Autonomous Air Vehicle Project, as part of a strategy to exchange expertise with government and semi-government entities. https://t.co/4y82elhb6g pic.twitter.com/uMRBfwQnOO
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 25, 2020