Post by : Badri Ariffin

Abu Dhabi is making significant strides towards the future of transportation through a new partnership involving the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and ARIDGE, the leading flying car manufacturer in Asia, previously known as XPENG AEROHT. This collaboration is set to expedite the testing, certification, and introduction of advanced air mobility technologies in the UAE capital.

As part of this strategic agreement, ARIDGE will set up operations in Abu Dhabi to create and experiment with integrated road-air mobility solutions, bolstered by the emirate's robust regulatory framework and innovation ecosystem. This initiative will enable the company to utilize dedicated testing corridors, assess local market applications, and play a vital role in Abu Dhabi's burgeoning Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster.

The SAVI cluster, a flagship initiative aimed at establishing Abu Dhabi as a global center for autonomous and smart mobility, is projected to generate AED 44 billion for the economy and create as many as 40,000 high-value jobs by 2045.

The collaboration between ADIO and ARIDGE will center around four main focus areas:

• Regulatory acceleration: Collaborating with UAE aviation authorities to formulate certification and safety standards for flying vehicles.

• Use case development: Testing practical applications such as tourism, urban transport, emergency response, and last-mile logistics.

• Market deployment: Creating pathways from prototypes to operational services, involving infrastructure planning.

• Ecosystem growth: Attracting new investments and technological partners to enhance Abu Dhabi's aerial mobility framework.

Through this initiative, Abu Dhabi aims to become a forerunner in smart, sustainable, and next-generation transport, transforming the concept of flying vehicles into a tangible reality within urban settings.

#Abu Dhabi News #UAE News