Latest news with #transportinnovation
BBC News
23-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Dudley-based rail research firm bought by local council after going into administration
An organisation that has been involved in a Very Light Rail system for Coventry has been bought by a council, after going into Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO), a not-for-profit research organisation, was sold to the area's council, administrators RSM UK also stated it ensured the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre, operated by BCIMO, remained Council said the authority had previously given the Black Country organisation financial support and decided to bid "to protect this investment". Council cabinet member for resources Steve Clark said as site owner, it would receive income from "existing tenants", while looking for an acquisition decision would generate income for the council, champion local innovation and support creating "high value employment opportunities", he UK said the business and assets were sold to the council and the transaction had safeguarded the centre's future and "laid the foundation for renewed investment in transport innovation".A lack of anticipated funding and rising costs had led to cash flow challenges for BCIMO, the administrators had earlier Black Country organisation came into being in 2019, which was before the council completed the building of the innovation centre in 2022, the administrators stated is like a tram, but involves single, battery-powered cars that can each transport about 50 people and do not need deep tracks to run this month, Coventry City Council said it was disappointed to hear BCIMO was in administration, but it was "business as usual for us" and the vehicle was in Alcester for the next stage of development. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Arabian Business
30-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai completes region's first Joby air taxi test flight ahead of 2026 launch
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed the region's first test flight of an aerial taxi in partnership with Joby Aviation, marking a step towards commercial urban air mobility services in the emirate. The test flight took place at a desert test site in Dubai, with the Joby Aerial Taxi demonstrating its vertical take-off and landing capabilities. The flight forms part of daily test operations designed to evaluate the aircraft's performance in local environmental conditions ahead of commercial deployment. Dubai has successfully completed the region's first test flight of the Joby Aerial Taxi. Conducted through a collaboration between the Roads and Transport Authority and Joby Aviation, the test flight marks a major step toward launching full operations next year. The all-electric… — Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) June 30, 2025 Dubai successfully tests all-electric air taxi in regional first Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended the test flight and emphasised Dubai's commitment to transport innovation. 'Dubai continues to lead the way in shaping the future of mobility, guided by the strategic vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. This achievement also reflects our commitment to placing the UAE at the forefront of transformative technologies that drive global progress. Further, the successful aerial taxi test flight demonstrates our determination to transform breakthrough technologies into practical solutions that enhance quality of life and set new international benchmarks for urban development,' Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai said in a statement. The Crown Prince linked the initiative to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the UAE's sustainable development vision. 'As we work to realise the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, within the framework of the UAE's sustainable development vision, the integration of aerial mobility into our transport ecosystem is a step towards ensuring the city's infrastructure is built around the needs of future generations. Our initiatives aim to make life easier for people, creating new opportunities, and reinforcing Dubai's position as the best city in the world to live, work, and visit,' he added. The Joby Aerial Taxi operates on electric power, producing zero emissions during flight. The aircraft features six rotors and four battery packs, enabling a flight range of up to 160 kilometres and a maximum speed of 320 kilometres per hour. The aircraft accommodates four passengers plus a pilot and operates at lower noise levels than conventional helicopters. Its vertical take-off and landing functionality requires minimal horizontal space for operations at vertiports. The test operations utilise facilities developed in collaboration with Shamal Holding. The infrastructure includes a dedicated vertiport for aerial vehicles, a hangar equipped with flight monitoring and tracking systems, and electric charging technology. Dignitaries present at the test flight included Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority; Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General, General Civil Aviation Authority; Ahmed Ali Al Balqeizi, Executive Director of the Aviation Safety and Environment Sector – Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; and Ibrahim Hussain Ahli, Executive Director – Dubai Air Navigation Services. RTA Director General Mattar Al Tayer outlined the service's potential impact on travel times across Dubai. 'The launch of the air taxi's trial operation reflects the leadership's vision to advance sustainable and innovative mobility across all public and shared transport modes. It underscores Dubai's commitment to keeping pace with rapid global transformations and developing future-ready solutions to emerging mobility challenges,' Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said. 'The aerial taxi will introduce a new premium service for residents and visitors seeking smooth, fast, and safe travel to key destinations across the city. A journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah, for example, is expected to take just 12 minutes, compared to approximately 45 minutes by car. The service will also strengthen integration with public transport systems and individual mobility options such as e-scooters and bicycles, enabling seamless multimodal travel and enhanced connectivity across the city, ensuring a smooth and convenient experience for all passengers,' he added. JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, and Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency, briefed officials on project milestones. Commercial aerial taxi station operations will begin near Dubai International Airport in 2026, with the inaugural commercial flight scheduled for that year. 'Dubai serves as a launchpad for a global revolution in mobility, and flying our aircraft here represents a pivotal step towards integrating Aerial Taxi services into the fabric of daily life around the world. Thanks to our forward-looking strategic partnership with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, we are helping shape a future where clean and quiet aviation becomes the new norm. At the same time, we are proud to reinforce the global presence of American innovation. This achievement is the result of close collaboration and a strong relationship between Joby and the Roads and Transport Authority. It underscores the company's leading role in shaping the future of mobility and reaffirms the UAE's global leadership in adopting advanced air mobility solutions,' Bevirt said. At the beginning of 2024, Dubai's RTA signed an agreement to launch the aerial taxi service with multiple partners including the General Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, British company Skyports Infrastructure, and Joby Aviation. The agreement establishes Dubai as the first city worldwide to offer urban air mobility through a vertical take-off and landing infrastructure network for aerial taxis. Joby Aviation's operational testing in Dubai follows two years of flight trials in hot-weather conditions at Edwards Air Force Base in the United States. The company has accumulated over 15 years of engineering development, more than 40,000 miles of test flights, and multiple piloted transition flights. The company operates several aircraft simultaneously, supporting its goal of making aerial mobility accessible for daily use.
Zawya
20-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
The Integrated Transport Centre wins the GOVTech Innovation Award in the Smart City Category for its Modelling and Analytic Framework (STEAM+)
Abu Dhabi – Reinforcing Abu Dhabi's pioneering role in transport innovation, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), affiliated with the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has been awarded the GOVTech 2025 Innovation Award in the Smart City category for its 'Modelling and Analytic Framework (STEAM+)' project. This advanced system stands out as one of the most sophisticated data-driven platforms powered by artificial intelligence, developed to support urban transport planning and enhance infrastructure efficiency across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The GOVTech Awards aim to honour the most outstanding technological projects and innovations within the government sector in the United Arab Emirates. They are among the country's most prominent accolades, spotlighting government entities and individuals who leverage advanced technologies to enhance the quality of public services and support the shift towards a smart, digital government. The STEAM+ project represents a major advancement and a vital technological tool supporting the transition to smart cities. The system employs intelligent technologies to enhance both transport and infrastructure planning by analysing billions of data points using artificial intelligence. It delivers comprehensive and precise insights into Abu Dhabi's current and future mobility needs, enabling informed decision-making that improves service quality and supports the development of the transport sector's infrastructure. Among the project's most notable achievements is the assessment of various development projects and policy initiatives related to sustainable transport and infrastructure. These efforts have significantly contributed to easing traffic congestion, reducing travel times, enhancing road safety, and promoting environmentally friendly mobility alternatives. It is worth noting that the 'Smart City' category within the GOVTech Awards is one of the most strategic, as it reflects the national direction towards more sustainable and innovative urban development. This vision is realised by enhancing quality of life, promoting environmental sustainability, improving urban management efficiency, enabling the digital economy, and strengthening public trust in government services through advanced smart solutions. This recognition further reinforces the Integrated Transport Centre's position as a leading entity in leveraging future technologies to develop advanced transport infrastructure. It supports Abu Dhabi's transformation into a smart city, aligned with the Emirate's sustainable development goals and long-term vision. About Integrated Transport Centre: The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), affiliated with the Department of Municipalities and Transport, is the legislative, regulatory, and supervisory authority responsible for managing and developing the transport sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It formulates policies and frameworks aimed at establishing a smart, safe, and integrated mobility system that supports the Emirate's aspiration to be among the most advanced cities in the world. ITC oversees all land, maritime, and aviation transport activities across the Emirate, ensuring the integration and advancement of the mobility system in line with urban expansion and population growth. It also strives to harness the latest technologies, innovation, and sustainability tools to meet future mobility demands, enhance quality of life, and redefine urban living standards by embedding advanced solutions and promoting sustainable mobility practices.
