Digital tech from Siemens for autonomous transport at Bluewaters in Dubai

Wireless communication technology from Siemens will play a key role in the autonomous transport network for Bluewaters, a modern, family-oriented man-made island destination with a pioneering spirit that blends waterfront living with the exhilaration of urban city life.

The island will feature a people-mover system comprising 25 automated Group Rapid Transit (GRT) vehicles, built by Dutch transport company 2getthere. Each vehicle is designed to carry 24 passengers and the system will connect the island to Dubai’s existing metro network with a capacity of 2,500 people per hour in each direction.

The driverless people-mover will be wirelessly connected to the control room by Siemens’ Scalance and RuggedCom industrial communications systems, with two simultaneous data channels for the highest levels of availability. The autonomous vehicles will maintain a constant connection with the control room, with the wireless system reducing the need for physical cabling and helping in reducing energy consumption, without compromising on performance or durability.

“Digital communication technology is the backbone of a smart transport infrastructure, and we’re proud to be an integral technology contributor to this prominent project in line with the Emirate’s strategy to make 25 percent of all journeys autonomous by 2030,” said Uwe Troeger, Senior Executive Vice President, Process Industries and Drives and Digital Factory, Siemens Middle East.

Siemens offers a comprehensive portfolio of integrated industrial communications solutions from Scalance and Ruggedcom, used in a diverse range of applications from the automotive and chemical industries, to OEM manufacturing and process industries including oil and gas. 

“Bluewaters” is a colorful destination by Meraas complementing Dubai’s spectacular coastline and skyline. The island boasts residential, retail, dining, hospitality, leisure and entertainment facilities and is home to the world’s tallest and largest observation wheel, Ain Dubai. Bluewaters will be connected to the mainland via a roadway from Sheikh Zayed Road, the people-mover system from Dubai metro station, and also a pedestrian bridge from the beachfront at The Beach opposite to Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR).

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 165 years. The company is active in more than 200 countries, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of efficient power generation and power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions as well as automation, drive and software solutions for industry. The company is also a leading provider of medical imaging equipment – such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging systems – and a leader in laboratory diagnostics as well as clinical IT. In fiscal 2016, which ended on September 30, 2016, Siemens generated revenue of €79.6 billion and net income of €5.6 billion. At the end of September 2016, the company had around 351,000 employees worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.