The Potential Application of Autonomous Vehicles in the Middle East
There’s no arguing that the future of mobility will be largely machine learning-dependent and AI empowered, but I believe that people will still be wanting, owning and driving cars for the foreseeable future.
Yes, tech giants like Tesla and Google are investing in self-driving vehicles to ‘automate’ the process. Developed countries, especially, are seriously considering the wider-scale adoption of autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies—where new blueprints are being designed frequently to make self-driving cars and corresponding infrastructure safer and securer for everyone.
The UAE as well, is at the forefront of redefining modernization and digital interventions to improve urban life. It’s amongst the top ten regions in terms of openness to self-driving technologies, surpassing even Denmark and the UK. The potential application of public modes of AV transportation can help the country meet H.H. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s goals to improve the quality of air and reduce CO2 emissions by 2030.
Here are some ways AVs can help us do that:
Streamline public modes of transport
Within the UAE alone, there are an estimated three million cars on roads at peak morning and late afternoon hours. Infrastructural upgrades across public transport—especially autonomously run metros and fast trains in busy city centers/metropolises like Dubai and Abu Dhabi can take the throng off the roads, as well as make commuting routes cheaper, easier, and shorter. A wider AI-powered public transport network not only serves heavily populated areas but can optimize schedules and routes to deliver more energy efficiencies. This results in the smoother movement of people, while opening up access to areas and territories further inland in the country.
The BCG and HSG research organizations show that the mainstream adoption of autonomously moving vehicles can reduce traffic volume by 4%, energy consumption by 12%, transportation costs by 13%, and journey times by more than 3%.
Increased sectoral responsibility
A word of caution though.
As someone who is directly involved in the automobile industry, I am always concerned with the reliability/ responsibility of the person (or thing) behind the driver’s seat. Undoubtedly mass AV deployment holds many benefits. However, to avail the positives fully there has to be a substantial upgrade to infrastructure and the widespread implementation of educational and awareness schemes.
Before we can envision driverless cars becoming the norm, we need to bring the level of all participants—passengers in cars, as well as remote monitors and administrators—up to par. As the Neckermann Strategic Advisors study points out, we need stricter legislation, upgraded insurance and standards of safety, and new and avant-garde urban planning schemes. At the minimum, we need dedicated safe AV lanes on existing roads. There has to be a deeper assessment of risks and a more profound understanding of probabilistic systems. The technology itself has to be a hundred percent reliable and safe against hacking and cyber-attacks.
Despite the proofs submitted by the experts, I think AVs and especially driverless cars are still in infancy and have a long way to go before a universal roll-out.
The new learning curve
That said, I firmly believe that all new industry-wide technologies are positive disruptors. They come to raise the bar. While I admit that I am a traditionalist who loves the feel of four wheels turning on pistons and the vibration and friction off the road, I am equally comfortable admitting that the positives of AVs are lessons that the whole automobile industry can benefit from. The wider implementation of AV technologies to conventional car models is helping the whole industry become more fuel-efficient and ‘smarter’ on a daily basis.
I think more of us need to talk, butt heads, and find solutions that work for everyone by being safer without any compromise. At present, AVs are a complicated mix of sensors, communication, control, and software technologies operating in complicated environments. The margin of error is too wide and the price to pay too high.
We need to reach a level of structural and legislative responsibility and develop an intrinsic trust in the reliability and deliverability of what are essentially, only ‘machines’, operating on limited information.
I trust human instinct and intuition and still think it goes beyond a mathematical algorithm. After all, Einstein called it our most valued asset and I think he was right!
About the author
Irfan Tansel: Global Citizen and CEO of Al Masaood Automobiles
With over 40 years of experience spanning across three continents, Irfan Tansel is recognized as ‘100 inspiring leaders in the Middle East’ by Arabian Business magazine and ‘CEO of the Year’ by CEO Magazine, and he is driven to disrupt the automotive industry and to create a legacy.
Irfan’s passion for automobiles began at the age of 15 when he apprenticed as an auto mechanic. Now an entrepreneurial and visionary leader, Irfan is credited for his unique approach to innovation, employee engagement, and more recently, succeeding in a challenging market. In 2019 and 2020, Al Masaood Automobiles gained global recognition for re-strategizing; creating an omnichannel experience to prepare for Industry 4.0. Al Masaood Automobiles launched the region’s first e-commerce car buying website with Nissan, and a virtual, live & interactive sales platform. 2019 was a record-breaking year with Al Masaood Automobiles selling more cars than ever before.
Under Irfan’s leadership, Al Masaood Automobiles have been awarded numerous accolades. In both 2013 and 2019, Al Masaood Automobiles won the coveted Nissan Global Award, recognizing their outstanding performance and contribution to Nissan’s business.
Renault’s prestigious Global Partners Award (P.A.R.I.S. Challenge), received in 2020, is the highest accolade for car dealerships granted for exceptional performance in customer satisfaction, and in Sales and Aftersales – tapping into new market segments, strengthening the brand, and expanding their portfolio. They reported a staggering double digit sales growth, outperforming other Renault dealers around the globe.
With an unrelenting desire to best serve his customers, Irfan believes that “the road to recognition is built upon a commitment to leave behind the ordinary to achieve the extraordinary”. His competitive nature drives his vision to revolutionise the industry and lead the transition into a future where disruption capitalizes innovation. After achieving his goals and reaching the peak of his career, he is determined to motivate tomorrow’s leaders by sharing his extensive knowledge in leadership.
When Irfan isn’t preparing for a future of disruption, as electric cars, connectivity, autonomous vehicles and ride-sharing come into play, you can find him spending time with his family and playing golf.
For media and keynote inquiries, please email his brand manager Jen at Jen@prestidgegroup.com or call +971 55 719 3601. DOWNLOAD IRFAN’S MEDIA KIT.
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