Dubai’s RTA Announces Face-Pay Taxis, 3D-Printed Abra and AI Parking Space Forecasts
Dubai could soon let residents pay for taxis and Metro rides by scanning their face, ride electric 3D-printed abras and use artificial intelligence (AI) to predict where empty parking spaces will be available.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) unveiled the array of projects and initiatives at GITEX 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The RTA is showcasing a smart gate for paying public transport fares through facial recognition.
RTA shows off future tech in Dubai
Additionally, it will be introducing the transfer of ownership of vehicle number plate service on “RTA Dubai Drive” app, eliminating the need to visit customer service centres.
Exhibits also include a model of the world’s first electric Abra manufactured using 3D printing technology and the application of AI and big data technologies to forecast the occupancy of public parking.
RTA is set to unveil the revamped version of its app, reflecting its commitment to achieving leadership in delivering government services and maximising customer happiness.
The app’s user interface has been overhauled, adhering to top-tier standards in application design and user experience.
The redesign incorporates enhancements to the infrastructure and leverages data and AI technologies in the app’s development.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, RTA said: “RTA is committed to harnessing emerging technologies and AI to boost productivity, elevate operational efficiency, and enhance customer services.
“RTA has numerous key projects and initiatives in smart transport systems such as smart control centres for public transport systems, and self-driving transport, as well as enablers of the fourth Industrial Revolution such as the Internet of Things, AI applications, machine learning, big data, the incorporation of robots, and electric energy technologies and solutions in mobility.
“RTA is keen to keep pace with the future direction of the Dubai government, in transforming into smart, innovative, and sustainable cities using cutting-edge communications technologies and digital solutions.
“RTA is seeking to realise the Dubai Strategy for Smart Self-Driving Transport, to transform 25 per cent of mobility journeys in Dubai into smart and driverless journeys by 2030.
“In cooperation with the American company GM Cruise, RTA is gearing up to deploy autonomous Cruise vehicles for taxi and e-hail rides. The number is set to grow gradually to reach 4,000 vehicles by 2030”.
At GITEX, the RTA is displaying the smart gate that allows paying fares for public transport (Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, buses, taxis, marine transport) via facial recognition technology, without using tickets, nol cards, or credit cards.
The system operates by registering and identifying the user. It recognises the face using cameras and analyses it in 3D.
This image is then transformed into bio data matched with the image, and then the amount is deducted from the account.
The initiative contributes to integrating transport services and other systems, facilitating the processing of transactions, elevating the operational efficiency of services, and reducing cash transactions.
Demonstrating its commitment to adopting the latest technologies, RTA will introduce a service for transferring ownership of vehicle number plates via the RTA Dubai Drive app.
The app allows customers to complete the selling procedures using the digital ID “UAE PASS”, eliminating the need to visit any of RTA’s service centres.
The service offers a unique experience, allowing the customer to complete the transaction via the smart app, complete the sales procedures that begin by registering in the system using the digital ID “UAE PASS”, complete the service procedures and securely sign the sales contract using the e-signature.
The RTA will display a model of the world’s first Abra, manufactured using 3D-printing technology in partnership with the private sector.
With a capacity to accommodate 20 passengers, the abra employs eco-friendly electric motors and boasts a design that preserves the heritage identity of abras.
This initiative contributes to supporting the government’s efforts to achieve Dubai’s 3D-printing strategy, slash the manufacturing time of Abras by 90 per cent, reduce the manufacturing cost by 30 per cent, and support RTA’s strategy for environmental sustainability.
RTA is leveraging AI and big data to predict parking occupancy based on analysing transactions and parking inspection data.
The AI model analyses and processes around 2.5m parking reservation transactions and 600 thousand inspection transactions, by predicting the parking occupancy for every hour for two full weeks in advance and calculating the occupancy for every 15 minutes.
This initiative enables customers to plan trips by knowing the expected occupancy rates for parking lots through RTA’s smart apps.
As part of its initiative, RTA is also displaying the smart kiosk, the integrated platform for monitoring and managing the operations of soft mobility service providers, an indicator for measuring the risk of drivers, monitoring passenger movement at stations, and a congestion index.
