Dubai robotaxi testing; 'First Arabic ChatGPT'
Good morning!
Here’s your weekly Middle East AI News!
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and its autonomous taxi partner Cruise moved another step closer to commercial services, deploying five Chevy Bolt AVs in the emirate’s Jumeirah One district to test technology on the road and gather street ad traffic data. The RTA aims to have 10 robotaxis offering public services in the Jumeirah area from September.
In other news, Saudi’s Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services and emobility company Electromin began a four week trial using a Navya driverless shuttle at Riyadh Front; Dubai-based Astra Tech launches what it describes as the ‘first Arabic ChatGPT’; and law firm Clyde & Co. discloses that the new Saudi Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) which was approved by the Council of Ministers a week ago, is expected to come into effect in September, with full enforcement from Sept. 2024.
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/Carrington
Autonomous Vehicles
RTA and Cruise start data collection and testing AVs on Dubai roads
#UAE #robotaxis - Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and self-driving car company Cruise have begun a testing and data collection trial on Dubai roads to collect data on traffic signals, signage, and driver behaviour among other data using five Chevrolet Bolt-based autonomous vehicles in Jumeirah 1 area. (Dubai Media Office)
Electromin starts Riyadh Front driverless bus trial
#Saudi #AVs - Saudi emobility turn-key solutions company Electromin has started a four week #driverless bus trial at Riyadh Front deploying a shuttle from French autonomous mobility systems startup Navya Group. The project in northern Riyadh was officially inaugurated on Monday. (Linkedin)
Smart Cities
Naver inks MOUs with Saudi Arabia government
#Saudi #SouthKorea - South Korean digital giant Naver has signed MOUs with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Municipal and Affairs and Housing (MOMRAH) and Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia (MISA). Naver will collaborate with the Saudi government on creating a city-scale digital twin and developing a super app. (Business Korea)
eVTOL
Ras Al Khaimah to set up vertiport
#UAE #vertiports - Plans for a vertiport in Ras Al Khaimah were announced last month by VPorts, a company specialising in the design, construction and operation of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) infrastructure. The company is expected to conduct its first flight test in 2024. (Gulf Construction)
GPT
Botim launches 'region's first' Arabic ChatGPT
#UAE #GPT - Astra Tech technology-focused investment company that is backed by G42, has unveiled ‘the first Arabic ChatGPT’ in the Middle East and Africa launched in partnership with Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. (The National)
Robotics
Infrared Tracking Challenge entry deadline extended
#UAE #robotics - The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has extended the submission deadline of its Autonomous Robotics Research Center’s Infrared Tracking Challenge until May 1, 2023 (5:00pm EST). Entries stand a chance to win $75,000 by developing a solution for real-time autonomous ground vehicle navigation in heterogeneous environments. (TII)
Saudi Data Law
Saudi PDPL to become effective September 2023
#Saudi #PDPL - According to law firm Clyde & Co., Saudi Arabia's Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), issued in 2021, is to become effective in September 2023, coming into full enforcement from September 2024. The country's Council of Ministers approved a series of changes to the new law last month. (Clyde & Co.)
Defence
L3Harris delivers manned-unmanned teaming
#Bahrain #unmanned - Over the past year, L3Harris has worked closely with the U.S. Navy's combined Task Force 59, to exercise manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T). Naval exercises included the use of L3Harris' Arabian Fox autonomous surface vessel (ASV). (L3Harris)