Dubai in the United Arab Emirates has launched 14 pedestrian crossings powered by AI algorithms, according to an article from the newspaper Arabian Business. The Smart Pedestrian Crossing Systems mark a “significant milestone” in the partnership between Dubai Silicon Oasis (DS0), which is a member of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), and the AI solutions specialist Derq, a spinoff from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Derq’s 'Real-Time Perception and Connectivity AI Platform' can detect pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users with precision, writes the article. Using patented behavior prediction models, the technology activates warning signs and traffic signal controllers to anticipate potential conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles, according to a statement from the Emirates News Agency (WAM). The system's control algorithms provide the flexibility to activate or deactivate alerts and control their duration.
The AI system is also equipped with an ultra-high speed 5G connection that enables extensive data collection of safety events and traffic data, writes the statement. In the future, it will be able to leverage 5G communication technologies to “effectively communicate safety information and alerts to connected vehicles approaching the pedestrian crosswalk”.
“The implementation of Derq’s AI Smart Pedestrian Crossing system at Dubai Silicon Oasis aligns directly with the objectives outlined in the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan,” commented Muammar Al Katheeri, Chief Officer of Engineering and Sustainability at DIEZ. “By integrating this state-of-the-art technology, we are creating an exceptional environment that prioritises innovation, safety, and sustainability.” ce/em
