RTA sets 1 August a deadline for submissions in Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport

The Challenge has total prize money of USD $5 million

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has set the 1 August a deadline for submissions from companies, institutions, universities and colleges to take part in the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, which has recently opened registration through the website. The initiative is in collaboration with Khalifa University and NewCities International Organisation. A total sum of over USD $5,000,000 (five million dollars) will be allocated for the Challenge as prize money.

“The total prize money of the Challenge exceeds USD $5,000,000 (five million dollars), finalists will be announced in October this year, and winners will be unveiled in October 2019,” said Adel Shakri, Director of Transportation Systems at Public Transport Agency & Chair of the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport Committee.

“A number of workshops and gatherings had been organized nationwide for university students and companies who submitted their entries in the Challenge as well as organizing webinars for entities abroad that have also submitted their entries in the Challenge. The topics of workshops and webinars have been diverse in acquainting the participants with the contest, its importance for the solutions to be delivered to the public transport sector and the prizes to be rewarded to winners of the Challenge categories,” explained Shakri.

“The Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport targets big companies, start-ups and local and international universities. About USD $3,000,000 (three million dollars) of the prize money will be allocated to mega companies, USD $1.5, 00,000 (one million, five hundred thousand dollars) for start-ups, and USD $600,000 (six hundred thousand dollars) for universities and academic institutions i.e. USD $300,000 (three hundred thousand dollars) for (local universities and international universities apiece). The Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport has become a key pillar of our strategy, and RTA is, therefore, launching a host of innovative initiatives to make mobility a reality on the ground,” concluded Shakri.