Oxa, a UK-based autonomous vehicle software developer, has partnered with Bayanat AI, a UAE-based provider of AI-powered geospatial and smart mobility solutions, to advance autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies in the UAE and globally, with support from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). This initiative falls under ADIO's Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster, aiming to bolster technological innovation in the region.

The collaboration will combine Bayanat's expertise in AI-powered geospatial analytics and AV operations with Oxa's advanced AV technologies to develop innovative solutions for smart cities and autonomous transportation systems for urban mobility.

The companies also look to establish an Autonomous Mobility Centre of Excellence in Abu Dhabi to promote opportunities for engineers, data scientists, and legal professionals, leveraging local academic networks and collaborations with universities like MBZUAI.

Analyst QuickTake: AV tech startups are increasingly entering the UAE market. Pony.ai, a peer China- and US-based AV technology company, also signed a collaboration agreement with ADIO to join Abu Dhabi's SAVI in October 2023 to test its technology.