分类： technology

While Silicon Valley and China vie for dominance in autonomous vehicle technology, Abu Dhabi is carving out a unique niche by leveraging AI-powered racecars to accelerate the development of self-driving systems for everyday roads. The capital of the United Arab Emirates is creating a comprehensive innovation pipeline that transitions AI research from laboratories to racetracks and ultimately to urban streets faster than any other region. This groundbreaking approach was demonstrated when an autonomous racecar from Italy’s Unimore team completed a lap at Yas Marina Circuit in 58.87 seconds, surpassing a professional driver’s benchmark of 59.20 seconds. This achievement underscores the potential of AI to make split-second decisions in real-world scenarios. Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE and A2RL, emphasized that Abu Dhabi’s investment in autonomous racing is not for spectacle but to shape the future of autonomy. ‘Racing provides a high-speed laboratory where sensors and algorithms are pushed to their limits in full public view,’ he told Khaleej Times. Earlier this year, an AI-powered drone outperformed a world champion pilot in Abu Dhabi, and now autonomous cars are surpassing professional drivers. These milestones validate the technology’s readiness for real-world applications. Timpano explained that the systems ensuring safety at 300 kilometers per hour on the racetrack will eventually guide autonomous shuttles, drones, and delivery fleets through city streets. Each racing lap generates 200 gigabytes of data, with a full test day capturing 24 terabytes—equivalent to years of real-world scenarios compressed into hours of intense testing. Abu Dhabi’s innovation ecosystem integrates the Advanced Technology Research Council, which sets national strategy; ASPIRE, which designs competitions; the Technology Innovation Institute, which conducts research; and VentureOne, which commercializes the technology. ‘The UAE’s model is distinctive because it connects every part of the innovation chain under one umbrella,’ Timpano noted. Teams now train their AI systems year-round through virtual racing before testing on real tracks, compressing development timelines from years to months. ‘Through A2RL, we compress years of research into minutes of competition. It is about accelerating how fast AI can mature and building public confidence in its capabilities,’ he added. Abu Dhabi’s goal is not merely to host autonomous races but to set global standards in safety, governance, and innovation.

Dubai is gearing up to host the DATE MENA Summit, a premier event focused on digitization, artificial intelligence (AI), and emerging technologies, on November 26 and 27, 2025, at Madinat Jumeirah. Organized by Trescon, the summit will convene over 1,000 pre-qualified business leaders, tech innovators, investors, enterprise buyers, and regulators to explore cutting-edge technologies reshaping industries and driving the future of the MENA region. The event promises to be a high-impact platform, featuring 40+ international and regional speakers who will share actionable insights across AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, immersive technologies, financial innovation, quantum computing, and more. Key sessions include discussions on Dubai’s AI and blockchain innovations led by Dr. Marwan AlZarouni, a panel on AI applications with industry leaders, and a deep dive into the UAE’s virtual asset ecosystem. The summit will also host the FutureTech World Cup, a global start-up pitch competition, and DATE Dialogues, exclusive roundtables for senior stakeholders. Leveraging AI-powered networking tools, the event aims to foster meaningful connections and drive tangible business outcomes. Naveen Bharadwaj, CEO of Trescon, emphasized the summit’s role in accelerating MENA’s digital evolution, bringing together leaders, innovators, and disruptors to reveal breakthroughs and set strategies. DATE MENA is set to be a transformative gathering for anyone shaping the region’s digital future.

In a groundbreaking feat of robotics, a Chinese humanoid robot named A2 has secured a Guinness World Record by completing a 106-kilometer inter-city walk without interruption. Developed by Shanghai-based Agibot, the android embarked on its journey from Suzhou on November 10 and successfully arrived at Shanghai’s Bund in the early hours of November 13. The remarkable achievement was officially certified on Thursday, with the robot covering a precise distance of 106.286 kilometers. Powered by Agibot’s advanced rapid hot-swap battery system, A2 remained operational throughout the entire expedition, showcasing its exceptional endurance and technological sophistication. Wang Chuang, senior vice-president of Agibot, emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating that the successful walk demonstrates the maturity of the robot’s hardware, cerebellar balance algorithms, and overall durability. This accomplishment paves the way for large-scale commercial applications of humanoid robots. Equipped with dual GPS modules, LiDAR, and infrared depth sensors, A2 adeptly navigated complex urban environments, including traffic lights, narrow pathways, and crowded sidewalks, while maintaining stable perception both day and night. The robot traversed diverse terrains such as asphalt roads, tiled walkways, bridges, tactile paving, and ramps, all while adhering to traffic regulations. Upon its arrival, A2 humorously remarked to Xinhua reporters that the journey was an ‘unforgettable experience in its machine life,’ jokingly suggesting it ‘might need new shoes.’ This achievement follows another notable milestone in April, when the Tien Kung Ultra, developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, completed a 21-kilometer half-marathon in just 2 hours and 40 minutes. The success of A2 underscores China’s growing leadership in robotics innovation and its potential to revolutionize industries worldwide.

Japan is on the verge of restarting one of the reactors at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The Niigata prefecture, where the plant is located, has signaled its consent for the restart, pending final approval from Japan’s nuclear regulator. This marks a significant step in Tepco’s efforts to rebuild its business after the catastrophic meltdown at Fukushima, which led to widespread radiation leaks, forced evacuations, and substantial financial liabilities. The restart plan focuses on the plant’s No. 6 and No. 7 reactors. However, public opinion in Niigata remains divided, with 50% supporting the restart and 47% opposing it, while nearly 70% express concerns about Tepco’s management of the facility. Since the Fukushima disaster, 14 nuclear reactors in Japan have resumed operations, reflecting the country’s broader strategy to increase reliance on atomic energy to achieve its net-zero carbon emissions goal and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The final decision will be discussed at the prefectural government assembly in December.