Dubai Municipality launched on Wednesday the testing phase of an innovative self-driving electric vehicle designed for cleaning bicycle routes along the beaches of Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim.
Termed a “smart sweeper,” this autonomous vehicle boasts cutting-edge technology, including smart sensors that enable it to navigate around obstacles. This technological prowess ensures a significantly higher level of productivity when compared to manual cleaning methods. Moreover, it can operate continuously for eight hours on a single charge, attain a maximum speed of 40 km/h in normal mode, and is environmentally friendly with low carbon emissions.
According to Emirates News Agency (WAM), this initiative is part of Dubai Municipality’s commitment to maintaining the cleanliness and sustainability of all tourist facilities in Dubai, especially its public beaches. Additionally, the aim is to enhance the visual appeal of these areas by leveraging the latest technologies, including automated and electric vehicles. Beyond providing unique experiences for beachgoers in Dubai, the Municipality’s broader goal is to reduce environmental pollutants and carbon emissions through the use of automated vehicle fleets.
Earlier this year, Dubai Municipality introduced five large-scale smart sweepers with advanced technology, which are responsible for cleaning approximately 2,250 kilometers of roads throughout Dubai daily. The Municipality has also expanded its automated waste operations management fleet to include 752 vehicles, incorporating various automated sweepers, pavement and road cleaning equipment, chopping equipment, and large-scale machinery for processing agricultural waste from plantations, public parks, and tree residues.
To oversee the 72 cleaners who work tirelessly around the clock to maintain the cleanliness of Dubai’s public beaches, Dubai Municipality has established a field team of 12 dedicated staff members. Furthermore, the team has been equipped with 13 new tools and pieces of equipment designed to enhance communication and improve response times in case of emergencies.
