The company aims to begin the second phase of the trials with 10 TXAIs in Abu Dhabi in mid-2022
A TXAI autonomous taxi operating during the phase 1 trials (Credit: Business Wire)
Bayanat, a geospatial intelligence provider, has wrapped up the phase 1 trials of TXAI, the first autonomous taxi operation in the UAE, which saw more than 16,600km of autonomous driving.
The UAE-based company partnered with WeRide, a China-based provider of Level 4 autonomous driving technologies.
WeRide contributed its advanced full-stack software and hardware solutions as well as operating and monitoring systems for the TXAI trial.
WeRide founder and CEO Tony Han said: “WeRide is very excited to work with Bayanat to bring industry-leading autonomous driving technologies and services to the UAE and the wider region.
“We are inspired by Bayanat’s commitment to building innovative transport systems. Together we leverage the partnership to make greater impacts for a smart future.”
Apart from the Chinese firm, Bayanat is said to have closely worked with Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport, Miral Asset Management, and the Integrated Transport Centre to run the autonomous taxi operation.
TXAI was announced last November 2021 at the Abu Dhabi Smart City Summit.
Its phase one saw five TXAI branded vehicles operate on Yas Island between nine stops that included hotels, restaurants, offices, and shopping malls. More than 2,733 passengers are said to have booked the service using the TXAI app.
Bayanat said that it is closely working with its partners and the UAE authorities to begin the second phase of the autonomous taxi trial, which is slated for mid-2022.
The second phase will include 10 TXAIs, which will operate across various locations in Abu Dhabi.
Bayanat CEO Hasan Al Hosani said: “The launch of TXAI is the first of its type in the MENA region, and underpins the strength of our partnership with WeRide, a global tech leader in the autonomous driving space.
“We are committed to continuing to work closely with the UAE authorities to build innovative transport systems by making strategic investments across the smart mobility value chain.”
Bayanat is owned by G42, an artificial intelligence and cloud computing company based in Abu Dhabi.