Page 90 - FUGRO PR REPORT APRIL 2024

5/1/24, 4:10 PM Inaugural DRIFTx: Flying taxis, autonomous cars and sea gliders soon to become a reality in Abu Dhabi – Nash Vile Now
expertise in deploying vehicle-to-everything (V2X) infrastructure with Bayanat’s AI Smart Roads,
enabling next-level autonomous driving 4+ is made possible and promoted.

Manta Aircraft announced strategic support from Altair for Manta Aircraft’s innovative program, which
provides unlimited simulation and data analysis software. Altair will provide software tools and
computational intelligence solutions in digital engineering, AI and data analytics technologies.

The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), represented by Abu Dhabi Mobility (AD
Mobility), has signed a memorandum of understanding with Regent Craft to provide low-level
maritime transport for both passenger and freight transport, accelerating the creation of an integrated
transport system and supporting objectives aimed at reducing CO2 emissions.

Namir Hourani, Managing Director of GMOLx, the organizer of DRIFTx, said: “This week some of
the world’s most progressive leaders and brightest minds came together at DRIFTx in Abu Dhabi,
unlocking extremely important high-level discussions that will surely shape changing the way people
and goods are transported, with cutting-edge solutions that will be up and running much sooner than
anyone expected. Over the two days we had an impressive line-up of speakers, unique exhibitions and
very exciting live demonstrations, which really showed. what the future of urban air is. We’re already
looking forward to building on the energy and great atmosphere we witnessed this week, to inspire a
new round of real breakthroughs at DRIFTx 2025. “

DRIFTx also saw a number of “firsts”, including product reveals, new showcases and attracting
international mobility entities to the UAE for the first time. This included the UAE’s first operational
vertiport for vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs), which was unveiled by ADIO, in
collaboration with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Department of
Municipalities and Transport – Abu Dhabi ( DMT), represented by Abu Dhabi Mobility (AD Mobility),
a subsidiary of the Department of Municipalities and Transport – Abu Dhabi (DMT).

GMC, one of General Motors’ most popular car brands, and Bin Hamooda Auto – GMC dealer for Abu
Dhabi, showcased the brand’s first all-electric super truck, the GMC HUMMER EV Pickup and SUV.
The GMC HUMMER EV is the first electric addition to GMC’s lineup of bold, capable and precision-
crafted premium trucks and SUVs, offering remarkable on- and off-road capability with a quiet, all-
electric drive system. In addition, Sienna by May Mobility made its debut in the region by presenting
autonomous solutions for various car models.

Bayanat partnered with FlyNow Aviation to offer visitors the chance to virtually explore Abu Dhabi’s
skies with the revolutionary eVTOL eCopter, in addition to showcasing its full HAPS in Abu Dhabi for
the first time. Participants also had the opportunity to experience innovations that have come to the
UAE for the first time, including A2z’s MS MiniBus, the Carnival Robo-taxi and remote driving from
Abu Dhabi to Korea.

In addition, Multi-Level Group presented Wings Logistics Hub’s intra-city passenger taxi and a short-
range light cargo drone that conducted flight demonstrations in the event space. Visitors could also
view DCL’s Big Drone, which provided an artificial drone for human flight, Ocean Drone 30 by Ocean
Drone, and Fugro demonstrated the Blue Shadow.

The second day of the event featured fascinating conversations on AI leading us to Net Zero, a look at
air mobility in 20 years, road safety research priorities towards Vision Zero, research into innovation in
start-ups, robotics and web 3 , and mapping the technology Leading the future of mobility in MENA.

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