Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has signed a MoU with top Emirati investor Mubadala and Roborace, the world’s first global championship for full-size electric powered autonomous racecars, to drive innovation in the mobility sector as well as at the crossroads between physical and virtual reality and esports in Abu Dhabi.

 

Under the agreement, the trio will explore the development of innovative products based on autonomous technologies and Roborace metaverse infrastructure to facilitate faster and wider adoption of autonomous vehicle technology, with a focus on sustainability.

 

Roborace will also review the opportunity to establish its regional HQ in Abu Dhabi, and will also consider the operation of upcoming seasons of its autonomous racing series from and in Abu Dhabi, as well as collaborate with ADIO and Mubadala on the development of its metaverse technology from the testing and simulation of autonomous driving systems in specialised centers of expertise in Abu Dhabi.

 

ADIO said along with the company, both Mubadala and Roborace are active proponents of the 4th Industrial Revolution, viewing artificial intelligence and the intersection of physical and virtual reality as the backbone of future industries.

 

The project utilises Abu Dhabi’s world class infrastructure and strategic assets supported by Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management (ADMM) providing access to Yas Marina Circuit and its facilities, as well as Twofour54 as a destination for technology and content production capabilities and office infrastructure for potential incorporation, stated Badr Al Olama, Executive Director at UAE Investments in Mubadala, after signing the deal with Mohammed Al Dhaheri, Head of Infrastructure Partnerships, ADIO; and Chip Pankow, Chief Competition Officer at Roborace.

 

"Through this strategic MoU, we aim to bring autonomous driving technology to the UAE, and further develop Autonomous Driving Systems and metaverse technologies and applications, laying the foundation of an exciting new sector in Abu Dhabi and aligned with our efforts to diversify the economy of the UAE," added Al Olama.

 

ADIO Head of Investments Markus Thomas said: "Roborace is a cutting-edge technology platform that touches many focus areas of ADIO’s drive for innovation – its autonomous racing series provides a testing ground for the most advanced autonomous driving systems encouraging innovation in an ecosystem rather than a single company."

 

"This is fully aligned with Abu Dhabi’s approach to innovation and the emirate’s technology-related ambitions," he stated.

 

"Crossing an innovative media and engagement platform with advanced simulation technology in the metaverse advances Abu Dhabi’s gaming agenda while building an access point for a global audience and automotive OEMs alike. With our strategic Abu Dhabi partners, we are looking forward to making this possible," added Thomas.

 

To showcase the technology, Roborace will be exhibiting one of its autonomous racing cars, and the Guinness World Records Fastest Autonomous Car in the world – Robocar – at the FutrWorld event in Abu Dhabi.