Abu Dhabi has announced the launch of the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster at Masdar City as part of its efforts to emerge as a leading smart and autonomous vehicles hub in the region.

 

This comes following the launch of Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy (ADIS), by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council last year that aims to leverage advanced technologies to harmonise human development, sustainability, and growth.

 

Further enhancing Abu Dhabi’s industrial evolution, SAVI aims to position Abu Dhabi as a leading smart and autonomous vehicles hub, making significant contributions across air, land and sea mobility applications.

 

SAVI will support innovation and the commercialisation of smart and autonomous vehicle technologies in the UAE, unlocking their global potential, by providing state-of-the art facilities and value-added services within an enabling regulatory environment.

 

Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) Chairman Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi said: "Abu Dhabi is uniquely positioned to lead the charge in advancing technology and commercialisation within the smart and autonomous vehicles sector."

 

"Backed by a proven track record of accelerated innovation and built on a robust industrial base, the emirate both embraces and shapes global trends, supercharging the sector by leveraging its infrastructure, talent, progressive regulatory mindset, and key location at the crossroads of global trade," he noted.

 

"As a catalyst for Abu Dhabi’s diversification, SAVI is a game changer that will unleash extraordinary economic growth and create new opportunities for talent, entrepreneurs, and investors," he noted. 

 

According to him, SAVI is projected to contribute AED120 billion ($24 billion to $33 billion) to the UAE economy and generate 30,000-50,000 jobs, which will create an extended ripple effect benefitting various sectors, and taking our smart, diversified, sustainable Falcon Economy to new heights.

 

ADIS champions green economy practices and Industry 4.0 technologies to drive Abu Dhabi’s transition towards a smart, circular, and sustainable economy.

 

SAVI, he stated, will build on the strength of Abu Dhabi’s industrial base and leverage its unparalleled access to established air corridors, road infrastructure and global network of partners.

 

The ADDED and Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) are spearheading the development of SAVI covering the design, testing, and manufacturing of applications for transportation and mobility, as well as to service other sectors such as logistics. 

 

"The SAVI cluster brings together all relevant stakeholders to advance the development of the value chain, attract companies from all around the world. It will house academia, test zones, R&D labs, testing and certification facilities, large scale workshops, hangars, manufacturing facilities, connected through Abu Dhabi’s global logistics network, he added. 

 

Three dedicated test zones, provided through ADIO's partnerships with Tawazun Industrial Park (TIP), Miral and Maqta Gateway, part of AD Ports Group’s Digital Cluster, will enable companies to test and certify applications across air, land and sea.