Abu dhabi: Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), has announced that Abu Dhabi has solidified its position as a global hub for smart mobility. The emirate's approach is characterized by its proactive policies, enabling ecosystem, and innovative initiatives like the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) Cluster.
According to Emirates News Agency, Al Zaabi shared these insights during a leadership dialogue titled 'Charting the Future of Autonomy: Investment, Integration, and Innovation' at the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit. He emphasized Abu Dhabi's state-of-the-art infrastructure and the strategic alignment of policies, public-private partnerships, and governance foresight, which are pivotal in transforming the emirate into a leader in autonomous technologies.
He highlighted the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), led by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which plays a crucial role in establishing start-ups and specialized companies in the smart mobility sector. The council aims to streamline operational trials of autonomous systems, ensuring they meet high safety and security standards.
Al Zaabi stated that Abu Dhabi leverages advanced technologies to drive economic diversification and competitiveness. He noted the emirate's impressive economic growth, with non-oil sectors growing over 6.6% annually and contributing around 57% of the total GDP. This growth is underpinned by the Falcon Economy, which focuses on competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability.
The SAVI Cluster is projected to create 40,000 jobs and add AED44 billion to GDP by 2045. It aims to develop a complete value chain for innovation, from research and development to manufacturing. Test zones in Nibras Al Ain, Yas Island, and Mussafah support advancements in air, land, and sea technologies, respectively.
Al Zaabi emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in Abu Dhabi, which connect government infrastructure with business ambitions, mitigate risks, and accelerate technological commercialization. He highlighted Abu Dhabi's emergence as a global center for advanced industries and technologies, including finance, advanced manufacturing, AI, and New Energy.
The emirate is launching sector-specific clusters to future-proof its economy, including SAVI in 2023, AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA) in 2024, and Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) in 2025. Al Zaabi stressed that by leveraging advanced technologies, Abu Dhabi is enhancing its global stature as an economic powerhouse and a magnet for talent and entrepreneurship.
Abu Dhabi has achieved significant milestones, such as public eVTOL test flights with Archer, passenger drone trials with EHang, and autonomous aerial drone parcel deliveries with LODD and 7X. These developments mark a substantial advancement in the emirate's logistics sector.
Building on this progress, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) plans to sign 13 new agreements with global partners during ADAW to launch commercial pilot projects across land, air, and sea mobility. International companies like GRIDSERVE, REGENT, Joby, Archer, and EHang are collaborating with local partners to advance manufacturing, electric vehicle systems, and sustainable charging infrastructure.
