Dear KAUST Community,
Over the last few months we have kicked off KAUST SMART – a digital transformation program to create a truly immersive “Smart City” experience on the KAUST campus. As part of this project we are looking to demonstrate innovative and new technologies that to enhance the community’s mobility experience.
We are pleased to announce that KAUST SMART, Innovation & Economic Development and Community Life have partnered to launch an autonomous shuttle assessment to design, test and experiment with new modes of mobility. Together, with the Office of the Vice President for Research, we are driving groundbreaking new products and services to enhance the community experience.
As part of the project, we would like to meet with members of the community to better understand your mobility needs and ideas and how autonomous shuttles can best serve you. We will be hosting a series of informational sessions beginning with focus groups on the following dates. Please register your interest here.
- Tuesday, November 19
- Thursday, November 21
Self-driving vehicles have the potential to profoundly change the future of transportation and mobility. As a leader in developing smart city technology in the region, the project will offer new research collaboration and student opportunities and will provide a platform to transfer skills and technologies to the Kingdom.
Over the next few weeks, two autonomous vehicles will be mapping a circular campus route (see map below) with stops at the Administration building (bldg. 16), the IT building (bldg. 14) and the Student Center (bldg. 18). The vehicles will be navigated by a safety steward at all times.
Should you have any questions, or if you would like to get involved, please contact us at smart@kaust.edu.sa.
