Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport

The Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport is a catalyst to achieve the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum: 25% of all trips in Dubai to be smart and driverless by 2030.

First-/last-mile connection will be the first use case addressed. The application, evaluation and challenge process will start in 2018 and runs through October 2019.

Hosted by the Dubai - Roads and Transport Authority, this multi-year international challenge is designed for industry leaders, start-ups, and academia tackling the transport challenges faced by global cities. It is the first of its kind to be truly global in its outlook, not being limited by country or region.

The Challenge will invite technology leaders and innovators to Dubai to access world-class infrastructure, and showcase technology that addresses three transport needs

Transporting People
Transporting Goods
Transporting Innovation

The Challenge will address four use cases

First-/Last-Mile Connection
Marine
Delivery Services
Technology Innovation

The Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport is designed to catalyse innovation in self-driving technology through five objectives

Advance self-driving technology in support of Dubai's vision and strategy for smart mobility

Allow self-driving transport technology developers to showcase their advancements to global partners and investors

Deliver experience and develop knowledge that could be leveraged in developing the SDT driving automation market in Dubai and other global smart cities

Encourage first/last mile solutions to support public transport network and provide additional multi-model transport options

Set a legacy that will ensure continuity in future technical development, public awareness, and policy development

The focus of the first use case is transporting people in the first-/last-mile connection from public transport, from parking lots to venues, and within communities..

Participants will be able to submit applications early in 2018 and the testing and challenge will take place in Dubai in 2019.

Self-driving vehicles connecting origins/destinations to public transport
Self-driving vehicles connecting off-site parking lots to venue entrances
Self-driving vehicles transporting people around a certain location/development

The Challenge use case 1 is open to all players involved in self-driving transport providing first-/last-mile solutions. However, the finalists will have to offer a fully integrated solution which may require forming consortia with other partners.

Participants are expected to meet the following characteristics

Leaders

Previous road testing of more than 20,000 km
First-/last- mile fully integrated solution (that is, a vehicle and the ADS hardware and software that are collectively capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task on a sustained basis)
Operate in mixed traffic conditions
Adaptive cybersecurity solution

Start-ups

First-/last-mile partial solution or fully integrated solution (that is, a vehicle and the ADS hardware and software that are collectively capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task on a sustained basis)
Basic navigation in controlled environments

Academia – UAE Based

UAE based university or research institute with high level of research and development in areas of self-driving vehicles
Full/small scale working prototypes or original/nascent concepts or simulations

Academia – International

International university or research institute with high level of research and development in areas of self-driving vehicles
Full/small scale working prototypes

Timeline

Challenge Application Opens	1 May 2018
Intent Form Submission Deadline	1 June 2018
Challenge Briefing Live Webinar	20 June 2018
Challenge Application Closes	1 August 2018
Finalists Announcement	October 2018
Finalists Mobilization	February 2019
Showcase and Awards	October 2019

Applicants will be shortlisted following a stage gate approach, against a range of evaluation criteria. The evaluation criteria will include, but not be limited to the following

Basic eligibility—status and credibility of entity, vision, and relevant skills and experience

Technical capability and experience—vehicle build, resilience and redundancy, battery technology, command and control system

Business and commercial strength—interoperability, added value, quality of proposal and delivery, links to Dubai and UAE

Operation and Service—innovative solutions, operational method and limits, service capacity, hours of operation

Test Types

The Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport is designed for a range of participants which will be categorized into, industry leaders, start-ups, and academia.

Endurance & Reliability
Ability to drive in simulated traffic conditions
Energy Efficiency & Environmental Suitability
Safety & Cybersecurity
Consumer Experience

Awards for Challenge Use Case 1: First-/Last-Mile Connection

Industry Leaders

Top three finalist US$1 million each
One exclusive pilot operation contract in Dubai

Start-ups

First-place finalist US$1 million and a Golden Ticket to the Dubai Future Accelerators
Runner-up US$500,000

Academia

First-place UAE-based US$200,000 and runner up US$100,000
First-place international US$200,000 and runner up US$100,000

Successful participants will receive a stipend grant for their mobilization, commissioning, and demobilization costs per following guideline:

LeadersAED 200,000
Start-upsAED 500,000
Local AcademiaAED 50,000
International AcademiaAED 200,000

If you are interested in receiving Challenge updates and application documents for use case 1: first-/last-mile connection, please provide a main point of contact from your entity by submitting this form

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