Didi Autonomous Driving and Abu Dhabi Investment Office partner to accelerate smart mobility in Middle East – China Daily

Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Urban Mobility: Didi Autonomous Driving and Abu Dhabi Investment Office

Executive Summary of Collaboration

A strategic collaboration has been established between Didi Autonomous Driving and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to advance sustainable transportation and smart city development. This partnership facilitates Didi’s integration into Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) Cluster, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion into the Middle East. The initiative is fundamentally aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on innovation, sustainable urban development, economic growth, and global partnerships.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The collaboration directly contributes to the following SDGs:

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  1. Fostering innovation through open collaboration on autonomous driving technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
  2. Building resilient and advanced infrastructure by supporting Abu Dhabi’s development of a leading smart mobility ecosystem.
  3. Promoting sustainable industrialization by advancing the commercialization of innovative autonomous vehicle applications.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  1. Making cities more sustainable by developing an intelligent and eco-friendly transportation system.
  2. Improving urban safety and accessibility through the deployment of safe and reliable autonomous mobility services.
  3. Accelerating the development of smart cities that are inclusive, resilient, and technologically advanced.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  1. Promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth through the SAVI Cluster, which is projected to create up to 40,000 jobs by 2045.
  2. Fostering productive employment by developing a local talent pool in AI and autonomous systems.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
  1. Strengthening the global partnership for sustainable development through a cross-border collaboration between a leading technology firm and a government investment office.
  2. Encouraging knowledge-sharing and technology transfer to achieve shared sustainable development objectives in the Middle East.

Strategic Objectives and Future Outlook

The partnership outlines several key objectives aimed at long-term sustainable impact:

• Technological Advancement: Didi Autonomous Driving is committed to advancing Level 4 autonomous driving technology, having maintained safe operations for over 1,900 consecutive days. A new-generation autonomous vehicle with global adaptability is expected by year-end.
• Ecosystem Development: Both parties will collaborate on building a comprehensive ecosystem that includes technology innovation, talent development, and real-world application of autonomous mobility solutions.
• Regional Expansion: The initiative in Abu Dhabi serves as a foundation for gradually expanding cooperation to the broader Middle East, promoting the adoption of sustainable transport technologies across the region.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article highlights the creation of jobs and economic development through the establishment of the Savi Cluster.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The core of the article focuses on technological innovation in autonomous driving, building a new industry cluster (Savi), and developing advanced infrastructure for smart mobility.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The collaboration aims to develop a “sustainable transportation ecosystem” and accelerate the development of “smart cities,” directly contributing to making cities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Under SDG 8:
  • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The article discusses advancing the commercialization of innovative smart and autonomous vehicle applications and scaling autonomous driving technologies, which aligns with technological upgrading and innovation to boost economic productivity.
  • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. The article explicitly mentions that the Savi cluster is “expected to create up to 40,000 jobs by 2045.”
• Under SDG 9:
  • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending. The collaboration focuses on “autonomous driving technology innovation,” “AI talent development,” and advancing “Level 4 autonomous driving technology,” which directly supports this target.
• Under SDG 11:
  • Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons. The project’s goal to bring “safe, reliable, and intelligent mobility experiences” and create a “sustainable transportation ecosystem” directly addresses this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 8.2/8.5:
  • Indicator: The number of jobs created. The article provides a specific metric: “Savi is expected to create up to 40,000 jobs by 2045.” This is a direct quantitative indicator of progress.
• For Target 9.5:
  • Indicator: Advancement in technology level and deployment. The article mentions the commitment to “advancing Level 4 autonomous driving technology” and the development of a “new-generation autonomous driving vehicle.” The successful development and deployment of this technology serve as an indicator of enhanced technological capability.
  • Indicator: Investment in and development of talent. The mention of “AI talent development” as a key area of collaboration implies that the number of trained professionals or investment in training programs could be a metric.
• For Target 11.2:
  • Indicator: Safety record of autonomous transport. The article implies a safety metric by stating that Didi Autonomous Driving “has maintained safe operations for over 1,900 consecutive days.” This can be used as an indicator for measuring progress towards a safer transport system.
  • Indicator: Expansion of autonomous mobility services. The goal of “real-world deployment” and expanding cooperation to the “broader Middle East” suggests that the geographic coverage and availability of these services to the public would be a key progress indicator.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: chinadaily.com.cn