Abu Dhabi’s space technology company Space42 is developing the digital infrastructure needed to enable autonomous vehicles to operate safely across the Emirates.
The firm has signed a partnership agreement with e& UAE, formerly Etisalat, to test and roll out Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology, which allows vehicles to communicate with one another, road systems and pedestrians.
The collaboration combines Space42’s cloud-based mobility platform, which powers autonomous vehicles, with e&’s high-speed 5.5G and edge-computing networks, paving the way for future 6G-enabled transport systems.
Both companies will run pilot projects, work with regulators and test commercial models to build the systems needed for connected and driverless transport across the UAE.
“Pilot deployments will begin in Abu Dhabi and other designated smart-mobility zones across the UAE,” Hasan Al Hosani, chief executive of smart solutions at Space42, told The National. “We are still finalising our development, testing and deployment road map focused on autonomous shuttles, robotaxis and logistics fleets.
“These pilots will run on the Sovereign Mobility Cloud and be supported by Space42’s test vehicles, simulation platforms and mobility hubs. This phased rollout will demonstrate how advanced V2X technology and connected infrastructure can deliver safer, more efficient mobility at scale.”
Connecting driverless cars to 5.5G networks means vehicles can share and receive information almost instantly, helping them respond faster to traffic lights, pedestrians and road conditions. When 6G arrives, the connection will be even quicker and more reliable, allowing autonomous vehicles to operate more safely and smoothly across the city.
Space42 has already carried out large-scale autonomous-driving trials through TXAI, its robotaxi service, which has logged more than 600,000km and 20,000 passenger trips since 2021. The service has operated on Yas Island and Saadiyat Island as part of early testing phases.
Connected infrastructure to make roads safer
V2X systems allow vehicles to exchange data with surrounding infrastructure and other road users. The technology enables vehicles to detect what’s happening beyond their cameras or sensors.
“This holistic approach extends perception beyond line of sight, strengthens situational awareness and advances traffic analytical capabilities to help prevent collisions, improve traffic flow and support faster emergency responses,” said Mr Al Hosani.
Dr Sarath Raj, project director of the Satellite Ground Station at Amity University, said it was important for countries to have their own digital infrastructure for self-driving transport to avoid cyber threats.
“For example, when a connected vehicle in Abu Dhabi communicates through a local 5G edge node instead of a distant cloud server, critical safety decisions like collision avoidance or route optimisation happen instantly and securely,” he told The National.
In 2015, security researchers revealed that they were able to remotely access and control certain functions of a Tesla Model S by exploiting weaknesses in its on-board software and network connection. The car was not fully autonomous, but the incident still showed how connected vehicles could be exposed to cyber risks through their communication and control systems.
Developing regulations
Mr Al Hosani said the company is collaborating with the Integrated Transport Centre, Department of Municipalities and Transport and Abu Dhabi Police on regulatory development. These include creating ways to test vehicle safety, protect data and build public confidence in the technology.
Space42 uses the Abu Dhabi Digital Twin, a government-led project that involves a virtual 3D model of the city that mirrors its roads, buildings and infrastructure in real time. The system collects information from satellites, sensors and traffic data to simulate how vehicles move through the city.
It allows engineers to test how autonomous fleets would react to different conditions, such as roadworks or heavy traffic, before any changes are made in the real world. The model supports Space42’s Sovereign Mobility Cloud by feeding back live data from roads and intersections.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Crops that could be introduced to the UAE
1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
Play-off fixtures
Two-legged ties to be played November 9-11 and November 12-14
- Northern Ireland v Switzerland
- Croatia v Greece
- Denmark v Ireland
- Sweden v Italy
What is the definition of an SME?
SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.
A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
More on Quran memorisation:
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
