Abu Dhabi Showcases Global Innovation Leadership, Says Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Zayed

Abu Dhabi is hosting its first-ever Autonomous Systems Week from November 10-15, 2025, bringing together global leaders to shape the future of smart transportation and self-driving technology. The event positions the UAE capital as a testing ground for cutting-edge mobility solutions across land, sea, and air.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy President of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs and Chairman of the Smart Autonomous Systems Council, is backing the initiative. He said the council aims to speed up sustainable transformation in smart autonomous systems while ensuring safe and efficient operations.

The centerpiece Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Summit takes place on November 10 at Yas Marina Circuit's vehicle testing zone. Industry leaders will tackle key challenges like integrating air, land, and sea transport systems for better urban mobility. They'll also discuss expanding smart transport models in public transportation and building global AI governance standards.

Here's what makes this interesting: the event goes beyond just talking about future tech. Participants will explore practical funding paths for smart transport projects and commercial marketing strategies for autonomous technology initiatives. The focus on sustainability and skills development shows Abu Dhabi wants to build a complete ecosystem, not just showcase flashy prototypes.

The week includes the "Drift X" exhibition running November 10-12, displaying the latest autonomous system solutions across robotics, marine, aviation, and ground vehicles. Khalifa University is organizing the Asia-Pacific Robot Cup 2025 during the same period - the first time this competition comes to the Middle East and North Africa region.

The event wraps up November 15 with the second Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League, organized by ASPIRE under the Advanced Technology Research Council. Ten international research and development teams will compete at Yas Marina Circuit for $2.25 million in prize money, using AI-powered self-driving race cars.

For investors and tech companies, this signals Abu Dhabi's serious commitment to becoming a global hub for autonomous systems. The emirate is creating a competitive environment that supports R&D collaboration while building innovation-based infrastructure. This isn't just about improving transport efficiency - it's about enhancing quality of life through safe and sustainable smart systems.

The timing matters too. As cities worldwide grapple with traffic congestion and environmental concerns, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself to export solutions rather than just import technology. The combination of government backing, international participation, and substantial prize money suggests this could become a regular fixture in the global autonomous systems calendar.