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H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, has awarded the winners of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) taking place at Yas Marina Circuit during Abu Dhabi Mobility Week. The event has been billed as the largest racing league of its kind in the world and highlights the leading AI and autonomous robotics sector in Abu Dhabi. H.H. Sheikh Theyab toured the Yas Marina Circuit and the A2RL activation accompanied by Faisal Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs and Secretary-General of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC); Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, and other senior officials and sponsors. His Highness also met with the eight competing teams showcasing the latest smart and autonomous driving technologies. H.H. Sheikh Theyab was briefed on and witnessed the motorsport event, which pushed the boundaries of autonomous technology and added new entertainment value to extreme sports. He also met with UAE school children participating in the A2RL STEM Challenge and emphasised the leadership’s focus on nurturing talent to lead in future industries.
Organised by ASPIRE, a subsidiary of ATRC, A2RL fused extreme autonomous racing and AI to accelerate the global development of autonomous systems and technologies. Some of the key highlights of the first A2RL Race Day included an AI vs Human car race, where the Technology Innovation Institute’s (TII) autonomous car challenged former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat.
Al Bannai said, “Through the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League, we’ve sparked a race revolution. Showcasing fully autonomous racecars competing wheel-to-wheel, we’ve redefined the UAE’s role in innovation and set a bold precedent for global mobility. This event isn’t just a race; it’s a transformative moment where technology, imagination, and ambition converge. A2RL serves as a beacon, inspiring the next generation through physical and virtual realities, while shaping a future where the impossible becomes achievable.”
For his part, Dr. Al Jaber said, “We support the UAE’s vision in being a global hub for AI, research and innovation and believe in the power of AI to transform the status quo in every industry. The A2RL has made history today and ADNOC is proud to play a role in pushing the frontiers of science and innovation.”
The inaugural A2RL event was sponsored by ADNOC, which leverages artificial intelligence, from the control room to the boardroom, to maximise the value of Abu Dhabi’s vast hydrocarbon reserves through responsible and sustainable exploration and production to support the UAE’s economic growth and diversification.