First of its kind in ME on public street
His Excellency Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Municipality and Planning Department – Ajman (MPDA), reviewed the success of the self-driving cleaning vehicle project in the Emirate, which is a smart project carried out by the MPDA, in cooperation with the Supervisory Committee for Testing Advanced Driving Systems of the Ministry of Interior and the Legislation Laboratory of the Cabinet.
His Excellency launched the vehicle designated for cleaning public streets and designated paths, in the presence of Counselor Youssuf Mohammed Al Shaiba, Advisor to the Chairman of the Department for Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence and Member of the Supervisory Committee for Testing Advanced Driving Systems of the Ministry of Interior, Eng. Khalid Moeen Al Hosani, Executive Director of the Public Health and Environment Sector, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Saeed Mohammed Al Shehhi from the Ministry of Interior, Sheikha Dr. Noura Humaid Al Nuaimi, Innovation Advisor at the MPDA and Director of Ajman X Center, and Hind Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the Smart Services Development Department.
Ajman… Ideal Model
His Excellency stressed that the Emirate of Ajman is an ideal model for an ambitious city relying on creativity, harnessing modern technologies and employing artificial intelligence, and an emirate that encourages positive live experiences, including the self-driving cleaning vehicle, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East, by testing it on a public street without human intervention, as it was tested with Weride Company along the Ajman Corniche Street, from Ajman Hotel to Al Diwan Roundabout and back to Ajman Marina and then the designated parking station after Ajman Saray Hotel.
His Excellency Abdul Rahman Al Nuaimi praised the efforts of the qualified competencies in Ajman Municipality, which intensifies efforts and completes its tasks to achieve the best in line with the efforts aimed at maintaining the cleanliness and sustainability of all facilities and sites in the Emirate of Ajman to enhance its beauty and attractiveness by employing the latest technologies in environmental services.
Smart Projects
Counselor Youssuf Mohammed Al Shaiba, Advisor to the Chairman of the Department for Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence, noted that the project comes within the framework of the vision of the United Arab Emirates to reinforce the use of the state-of-the-art technologies in various fields, especially in environmental conservation. This initiative reflects the government’s orientation towards providing a clean and sustainable urban environment, as we strive to improve the efficiency of cleaning and maintenance operations in public spaces.
Maintaining the ideal image and aesthetic appearance of the Emirate is one of the most important priorities of the MPDA, which adopts a holistic and integrated plan to launch vital projects whose effects are felt by all and cast a positive shadow on all aspects of life, Counselor Youssuf said.
He said that the MPDA is committed to the principles of sustainability, as it is the work method and the basis for progress in the process of accomplishment, and the MPDA is concerned with adopting and supporting pioneering projects in the vital field, including the use of automated and electric vehicles that operate with high accuracy and efficiency while preserving the environment, so as to curb environmental pollution and carbon emissions from its automated fleet, in addition to providing a distinct experience for the Emirate’s residents.
Environmentally Friendly
For her part, Sheikha Dr. Noura Humaid Al Nuaimi, Innovation Advisor at the MPDA, provided a detailed explanation of the vehicle, which has advanced technical specifications that enable it to detect any obstacles in its path. Sensor technologies also enable the vehicle to clear picture of the surrounding environment, move safely, control its speed to maintain a safe distance from external objects and use emergency brakes in the event that a foreign object enters the vehicle’s collision range. It is digitally secured against any cyber-hacking attempts.
The vehicle is equipped with smart sensors that enable it to avoid collisions with obstacles and cameras to monitor roads supported by artificial intelligence. It is also linked to satellites through GNSS systems, Dr. Noura said, referring to its advantage of high productivity compared to human effort, with its ability to work for 8 continuous hours on a single charge, while its maximum speed is 20-60 km per hour in normal mode, in addition to being environmentally friendly and reducing carbon emissions.
