Dubai's leap into the future: Face-pay taxis, 3D-printed abras, and AI parking forecasts

Dubai, a city celebrated for its groundbreaking technological advancements, continues to push the boundaries of innovation. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai unveiled a slew of visionary initiatives and projects at GITEX 2023, hosted at the Dubai World Trade Centre. These initiatives promise to revolutionise the way residents and visitors engage with the city's transport systems and urban planning.

1. Facial recognition for public transport fares

Early next year, the RTA aims to simplify the daily commute with an exciting advancement – facial recognition technology for paying public transport fares.

Picture this: Instead of fumbling for tickets, Nol cards, or credit cards, all you need to do is stand in front of a smart gate, and voila it's done! The system registers and identifies you using cutting-edge 3D facial analysis, which transforms your unique facial features into biometric data.

The fare is then deducted seamlessly from your account that is synced with your facial scanner, be it a credit card or Nol card. This innovative approach not only streamlines the payment process but also integrates various transport services, reducing the reliance on cash transactions and physical tickets. Plus, who wants to lose their Nol cards or worry about topping up during rush hour?

2. Easy transfer of vehicle number plate ownership

We all know what a cumbersome process it is when it comes to transferring vehicle number plate ownership. Although, to make things easier as always the RTA is set to simplify this procedure by introducing a digital solution via the RTA Dubai Drive app.

Through this digital platform, customers can complete the entire ownership transfer process, leveraging their UAE PASS digital ID. No longer will you need to visit RTA service centers; the entire transaction, including secure e-signatures, can be completed within the convenience of the smart app. This advancement significantly enhances user experience and expedites ownership transfers.

3. The introduction of 3D-printed Abras

Dubai's historic abras, the ones we all grew up travelling around the creek are receiving a futuristic makeover.

The RTA, in collaboration with the private sector, is spearheading the creation of the world's first electric Abra manufactured using 3D printing technology. These electric abras not only offer an eco-friendly alternative but also dramatically reduce manufacturing times and costs. With a capacity to accommodate up to 20 passengers, these 3D-printed abras retain the traditional design elements of their wooden counterparts. This transformative initiative aligns with Dubai's ambitious 3D printing strategy, focusing on sustainability and environmental responsibility.

We have broken down everything about these exciting new abras in our guide - click here to read more about it!

4. AI-powered parking forecasts

Finding a parking space in a bustling metropolis can be a time-consuming challenge. Especially during rush hour where it's quite literally impossible!

In response to this, the RTA has taken advantage of the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to predict parking space availability, so drivers can easily access spots. This sophisticated AI model analyses an extensive database of parking reservation and inspection transactions, numbering in the millions. By doing so, it predicts parking occupancy rates for every hour, up to two weeks in advance, with an astonishing granularity of 15-minute intervals. How innovative is this?

This groundbreaking initiative empowers residents and visitors to plan their journeys more efficiently by providing advanced knowledge of parking space availability through RTA's smart apps. Aren’t we all fans of RTA’s innovative changes around town, easing the roads for drivers!

Impressive, right?

The RTA's unwavering commitment to embracing emerging technologies and artificial intelligence is steering Dubai toward a future characterised by smart, innovative, and sustainable urban living. With projects of this calibre, Dubai is not merely keeping pace with the future; it's proactively shaping it.

The city continues to set the standard for what urban life in the 21st century should look like. Stay tuned for further developments as Dubai forges ahead on this exciting path into the future!

Keen to know more about the upcoming projects?

Click here to read more about the new roads implemented by RTA.

And if you’re curious to know about how AI is being implemented across roads in Dubai, click here to read more.