The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai and HERE Technologies today announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding on a long-term technology collaboration with the aim of mapping the city with high definition technology for the first time. HD maps are a prerequisite to moving Dubai closer to its goal of having 25% of public transport self-driving services by 2030.

Both parties plan to deploy newly available location technologies in the development of a data infrastructure to support safe, sustainable and efficient autonomous transportation. These efforts are in line with Dubai's Smart City strategy and its self-driving transport roadmap, which ultimately aim to increase the quality of life for people in Dubai.

As part of their planned cooperation, RTA and HERE intend to conduct a number of pilots aimed at enabling HD Live Map, HERE's map for autonomous cars, for public service vehicles operating in Dubai. HD Live Map is a high definition and self-updating map designed to provide vehicles with accurate information about what is happening on the road.

An additional focal point is on utilizing the HERE Open Location Platform (OLP) as a system to intelligently connect vehicles with each other as well as the road infrastructure, such as traffic lights and sensors on roadways and sidewalks. OLP enables multiple automakers and other organizations and sources to transmit live, anonymized sensor data that is then aggregated, enriched with high-precision location data, and transmitted back to cars in the form of near real-time, geo-targeted, contextually-relevant information about changing road conditions.

Following initial planning and proof-of-concept phases, RTA and HERE share the objective to target joint pilots utilizing the new technologies as part of preparation to deploy self-driving vehicles at EXPO 2020, which Dubai will be hosting.

Abdulla Al Madani, CEO of RTA's Corporate Technology Support Services Sector expressed his pleasure to sign this MoU with HERE Technologies, reaffirming RTA's commitment to work with internationally recognized technology companies to deliver the latest solutions to the public in Dubai.

"RTA has always been a forerunner in harnessing the most sophisticated technologies through collaborating with the world's best providers taking into consideration the contribution to make Dubai the world's smartest city and make its residents, tourists and visitors happy and satisfied," said Al Madani.

Leon van de Pas, SVP, Internet of Things at HERE Technologies, said: "Dubai recognizes the importance of new location technologies in making transportation more efficient, safer and sustainable for people. Driven by our vision of enabling an autonomous world for everyone, the HERE Technologies team is excited and energized to help Dubai deliver on its ambition plans for a driverless future."