Bayanat AI, a provider of AI-powered geospatial and smart mobility solutions, and Oxa, which specilizes in autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, have announced a partnership to advance the development and deployment of AV solutions in the UAE and beyond.
Supported by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) under its Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster, the partnership was inaugurated during a visit by a high-level delegation from Bayanat and ADIO to Oxa’s headquarters in Oxford, UK.
The collaboration aims to leverage Bayanat’s AI-powered geospatial analytics and expertise in AV operations with Oxa’s AV technologies to develop solutions for smart cities and autonomous transportation systems.
Launched in 2023, Abu Dhabi’s SAVI cluster is a hub for smart and AV technology in the MENA region, promoting advancements across air, land and sea mobility applications. SAVI supports the development and commercialization of smart and AV technologies in the UAE, providing facilities and value-added services within a supportive regulatory environment.
Nayef Shahin, director of innovation and knowledge at ADIO, said, “When ADIO launched the SAVI cluster last year, our objective was to create a platform in Abu Dhabi that would connect the greatest global and local mobility innovators to pioneer new exciting pathway. I’m proud to say that the Oxa-Bayanat collaboration is proof of this objective coming to life, where both entities will combine capabilities in AV technology to create advanced solutions that will deliver real-world impact across our urban environment.”
The Bayanat-Oxa partnership, endorsed by ADIO, seeks to establish a regional leader in autonomous technology development across multiple sectors.
Hasan Al Hosani, managing director of Bayanat, said, “By combining our expertise in geospatial analytics and operational capabilities in AV with Oxa’s leadership in AV technology, we are poised to create groundbreaking solutions that will enhance mobility, safety and efficiency in urban areas.”
One key initiative of this collaboration – according to the partners – is the potential creation of an Autonomous Mobility Centre of Excellence, which will integrate into Abu Dhabi’s regional ecosystem. The partnership also aims to promote the hiring and development of local talent, including engineers, data scientists, legal professionals and support staff, supplemented by Oxa’s academic collaborations with institutions like MBZUAI (Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence).
Gavin Jackson, CEO of Oxa, said, “As a B2B company, we look for partners who have the vision and capabilities to help us bring our world-class autonomy solutions to a wide range of companies – and Bayanat and ADIO are those partners.
“Using the knowledge gained from our existing commercial deployments in the US and Bayanat’s technical capabilities and deep relationships throughout the GCC, we expect to accelerate the adoption of autonomy across multiple use cases.”
Bayanat and Oxa are also exploring the development of advanced services in the sector, supported by an advisory board comprising UAE industry representatives and senior leaders from Oxa.