UAE: Abu Dhabi welcomes Air Taxis, autonomous vehicles, and tech firms to its smart transport hub

Leading Air Taxi firms and autonomous tech giants join Abu Dhabi's intelligent vehicle cluster.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has announced the incorporation of significant players in air taxis and autonomous tech into Abu Dhabi's Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (Savi) hub.

The trailblazing air taxi developer Joby Aviation from California will join this high-tech consortium. Joby is renowned for its ventures into electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft meant for public transport. It envisions commencing commercial services via its five-seat, piloted aircraft by 2025 and has ambitions to navigate this aircraft autonomously. Joe Ben Bevirt, CEO of Joby Aviation, expressed enthusiasm for this collaboration, acknowledging the value of the Savi cluster.

Another essential addition is WeRide, a front-runner in autonomous tech, planning to establish its regional base in Abu Dhabi. The company, hailing from China, recently received a significant nod from the UAE with the first license for autonomous vehicles on the nation's streets. WeRide's CFO, Jennifer Li, emphasized aligning their tech solutions with Abu Dhabi's vision for self-driving logistics and transport.

Marakeb Technologies, a UAE-based autonomous systems expert with a 15-year tenure in the industry, is also onboard. As the first anchor company at Savi, it aims to enhance maritime applications. Marakeb will leverage the cluster's sea testing zone at Mussafah Port for tech trials and enjoy the benefits of global logistical support from the hub.

ADIO's Director General, Badr Al-Olama, highlighted that the Savi cluster in Masdar City is already drawing international attention. Its state-of-the-art facilities and regulatory-friendly environment position it as a prime spot for innovators across multiple mobility avenues. He remarked, "Abu Dhabi's next-gen industrial revolution is unfolding, with the Savi cluster poised to pioneer autonomous solutions spanning air, land, and sea."
ADIO is collaborating with major regulators, including the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and the General Civil Aviation Authority, to ensure the smooth operation of this ambitious project.

With these new additions, Abu Dhabi solidifies its commitment to being a global hub for the future of transport and autonomous technologies.