Sheikh Mohammed launches Dubai's 'future labs'

Dubai is taking further steps to promote innovation in key economic and technological sectors.

The city now has four high-tech laboratories focusing on aviation, energy, blockchain and entrepreneurship.

The future-oriented labs will help develop new ideas and projects as well as solutions for major challenges facing these industries.

They will be overseen by Dubai Future Foundation and will include inputs from leading companies.

"Our end goal is to make these labs a hub for launching future-oriented innovations that will eventually upgrade our business and service sectors,” said His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the launch of the high-tech facilities.

"These labs will support the UAE Centennial Plan 2071 and will lay the foundations for building a global centre to test future innovations of the country,” His Highness added. 

.@HHShkMohd launches first-of-its-kind future labs, that forecast the future of key #UAE sectors, in the presence of Crown Prince of Dubai @HamdanMohammed; Deputy Ruler of Dubai @MaktoumMohammed at @area2071. #Dubai pic.twitter.com/Pv8NzSMuEv

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) October 28, 2019

Aviation Future Lab:

The lab has teams of five of the world’s largest aviation companies including Emirates, Airbus, GE, Thales and Collins Aerospace, and aims to support scientific research and engineering projects and will highlight future ideas and innovations in the aviation sector.

It will launch a range of challenges to develop solutions in partnership with the public and private sectors, such as a challenge for reducing carbon emissions generated by the aviation sector by 87 per cent to reach 15 grams of CO2 per kilometre per passenger by 2030.

Blockchain Future Lab

In collaboration with IBM, this lab, which is the first of its kind in the world, will bring together government entities and blockchain technology providers to facilitate the use of this technology in developing products and services through creating a testing environment in partnership with entrepreneurs and specialised companies in AREA 2071. 

It aims to support the global innovation system, accelerate practical achievement and adopt smart and future technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, IoT, machine learning and others.

A diverse team of IBM experts will work with customers to develop new ideas, then test and develop them quickly, building on the company’s global expertise, assets, diverse partnerships and extensive network.

Energy Future Lab

In collaboration with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), this lab will work to develop future research and insights into the energy sector.

It will represent DEWA’s digital arm and will support efforts to bring about a comprehensive change in the government work system by enhancing cooperation with government and private entities and adopting new models for future governments based on four main pillars: developing auto-control systems for renewable energy and its storage, expanding the use of artificial intelligence and providing digital services.

Entrepreneurship Future Lab

This lab features meeting and conference rooms in Area 2071 and aims to support entrepreneurs and start-ups specialised in the technology sector.

It will help entrepreneurs obtain business licences easily in collaboration with partner government entities, and will provide necessary tools and facilities to test and launch innovative projects.