Electric vehicle companies NWTN and Pony.ai are the latest to join Abu Dhabi's smart transport cluster, as the emirate seeks to become a major centre for the development of high-tech mobility solutions.
Star Charge, an electric vehicle charging and energy storage company, is also setting up its regional headquarters in the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (Savi) cluster at Masdar City as a base to expand its global operations, Abu Dhabi Investment Office said on Wednesday.
“The launch of Abu Dhabi's Savi cluster has already brought together global companies and talent that will develop innovative solutions and help revolutionise transportation and mobility,” Badr Al Olama, director-general of Adio, said.
“Our goal is to make a transformation impact across the world, accelerating efforts in achieving a zero-emissions future and adopting green mobility services.”
Adio this week made a series of announcements about companies that will be joining the Savi cluster. The three companies revealed on Wednesday add to six companies announced since Sunday.
The emirate’s investment office has signed deals with 25 global companies to join the cluster, Massimo Falcioni, chief competitiveness officer at Adio, told The National on earlier this week.
The 25 companies signed on by Adio are from Korea, China and the US, specialising in autonomous taxis, underwater drones, robotic installations and artificial intelligence.
Adio said Silicon Valley-based autonomous driving company Pony.ai will be able to trial its latest technologies at the Yas Island testing zone, which offers a road mobility test bed with a growing number of technology start-ups.
UAE-based smart vehicle company NWTN, which signed an initial pact with Adio, will also have access to the Yas Island testing zone.
NWTN, a green energy company specialising in premium electric vehicle products, had earlier this year launched a luxury smart passenger vehicle.
"As the UAE prepares to host Cop28, the launch of Abu Dhabi’s Savi cluster will also help to accelerate the adoption of green mobility services and propel the country and wider world towards a zero-emissions future," Adio said.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Company%20Profile
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
WHAT%20MACRO%20FACTORS%20ARE%20IMPACTING%20META%20TECH%20MARKETS%3F
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Looming%20global%20slowdown%20and%20recession%20in%20key%20economies%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Russia-Ukraine%20war%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Interest%20rate%20hikes%20and%20the%20rising%20cost%20of%20debt%20servicing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Oil%20price%20volatility%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Persisting%20inflationary%20pressures%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Exchange%20rate%20fluctuations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Shortage%20of%20labour%2Fskills%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20A%20resurgence%20of%20Covid%3F%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday, February 8 v Kenya; Friday, February 9 v Canada; Sunday, February 11 v Nepal; Monday, February 12 v Oman; Wednesday, February 14 v Namibia; Thursday, February 15 final
