Dubai Future Accelerators: Emirates airline to develop autonomous vehicles

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DUBAI, 28th October, 2017 (WAM) -- The Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has visited Emirates Airlines lab at the Dubai Future Accelerators facility in Emirates Towers.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council; H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; and Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future, accompanied H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid during the visit.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said the aviation sector plays a significant role in the comprehensive development of the UAE and supports other economic sectors, adding that the aviation industry must introduce innovative and sustainable solutions to enhance operations, procedures and the overall travel experience.

Adel Al Redha, Emirates Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, briefed Sheikh Mohammed on Emirates participation in the third cohort of Dubai Future Accelerators, which includes three challenges designed to enhance the groups services by using modern technologies.

Al Redha said that Emirates initiatives reflect the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to use artificial intelligence to enhance the customer experience across Dubais airports. Emirates will lead the way in this field by introducing unique initiatives that will add value to the aviation industry worldwide, he added.

Emirates is now working to complete the challenges outlined in Dubai Future Accelerators in partnership with leading global technology and artificial intelligence companies, Al Redha continued.

Emirates first challenge is to develop a new fleet of autonomous vehicles that meet the specialised mobility needs of airport airside operations. This fleet should use 100 percent solar or electrical energy instead of fuel and deliver 50 percent improvement in operational efficiency.

The second challenge is to invent a solution to transform the way Emirates teaches cabin crew and the way they learn, while the third challenge is to develop a solution to integrate the personalised needs of Emirates passengers across the entire experience chain including chauffeur drive, meal selection and shopping.