Bayanat Transports Visitors to DRIFTx With First L4-enabled Autonomous Vehicles

Bayanat, a renowned provider of AI-driven geospatial solutions, has joined forces with the Integrated Transport Center to unveil plans for deploying a fleet of autonomous vehicles at Abu Dhabi's inaugural DRIFTx event on Yas Island's Yas Marina. The fleet, comprising TXAI taxis, Robo Minibuses, and Automatic Rapid Transits (ARTs), aims to facilitate transportation for attendees during the event scheduled for April 25-26.

Operating throughout the event's duration, these autonomous vehicles promise to streamline visitor experiences and are poised to be a highlight of DRIFTx. Developed in collaboration with the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) and the Integrated Transport Center (ITC), the fleet is set to cater to a substantial number of passengers over the two-day extravaganza. The fleet will offer transportation services to select guests from the W Hotel to designated drop-off points across the Yas Marina premises. Upon arrival, attendees can hop on the Automatic Rapid Transit (ART) for convenient movement between parking lots and the main entrance. Booking a ride is hassle-free through the dedicated DRIFTx app, which utilizes what3words' precise location technology for seamless pickups and drop-offs.

what3words facilitates precise location communication by assigning a unique combination of three words to every 3-meter square on the planet, enabling accurate navigation to any spot. By inputting a what3words address into the DRIFTx app, passengers can be assured of reaching their desired destination spot-on. This collaboration underscores Bayanat's steadfast commitment to partnering with smart mobility entities and leveraging solutions that enhance user experiences.

Speaking about the announcement, Hasan Al Hosani, Managing Director at Bayanat, said: “Steadfast in our commitment to the advancement of smart mobility and urban development solutions, this fleet of autonomous vehicles is the convergence of Bayanat’s Smart Mobility Solutions. Operated by Bayanat, in partnership with ITC, the TXAI Robotaxis, Robo Minibuses, and Automatic Rapid Transits have transported tens of thousands of users since 2021 –demonstrating the demand for sustainable autonomous solutions. Our vision for the future of mobility is reflected in this diverse fleet, and we are confident that the success of autonomous vehicles will extend beyond the region.”

Chris Sheldrick, Co-founder and CEO of what3words added: “Bayanat is providing an incredible service to this exciting, inaugural DRIFTx event. The dedicated DRIFTx app featuring what3words address entry will ensure riders are heading to the exact right destination, every time.”

Launched as a groundbreaking pilot initiative in 2021, TXAI stands as the MENA region's inaugural Level 4-enabled autonomous vehicle fleet. Since its inception, this fleet, comprising Robotaxis, Robo Minibuses, and ART, has covered over 500,000 kilometres and completed nearly 16,000 rides. While a safety officer remains present in the vehicle with the ability to take control, if necessary, the majority of driving scenarios are managed autonomously, rendering the vehicle fully self-driving. The triumph of TXAI can be attributed to the fusion of AI insights with Bayanat's gIQ capabilities, which furnish the indispensable data infrastructure for unmanned systems operation, encompassing HD maps and positioning.

Bayanat has long been at the forefront of autonomous driving and unmanned systems in the Middle East, boasting a proven track record of technological prowess across various domains, including Autonomous Solutions, Cloud Infrastructure, Digital Twins, Charging Infrastructure, Transportation Super Apps, and Testing and Simulation.

For further details about Bayanat's SMOS division, please visit www.bayanat.ai.