World's Largest Autonomous Racing League Returns with USD $2.25M Prize Pool and Global Expansion - Middle East Business News and Information
A2RL Season 2 Car Championship to be held on 15 November at Iconic Yas Marina Circuit Teams from France and Japan Join the Racing League for the First Time A2RL 'SIM-Sprint' Debuts to Accelerate AI Development
Abu Dhabi, UAE – May 2025 – ASPIRE, the driving force behind grand challenges and global competitions for Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), today announced the return of its flagship event, the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL). The 2025 edition will take place on 15 November at Yas Marina Circuit with a USD $2.25 million prize pool and the launch of a pioneering global virtual racing series.
Following a groundbreaking debut in April 2024, which drew over 10,000 spectators and more than 1 million global streaming views, A2RL Season 2 is back with even greater ambition, expanded international participation, and a bold new platform to advance autonomous mobility.
The announcement was made during the Make it in the Emirates Forum in Abu Dhabi. The Emirates Autonomous Vehicle (EAV 24), A2RL's upgraded autonomous racecar, represents a significant leap in performance and engineering. Assembled and autonomized in the UAE, the vehicle reflects the nation's growing capabilities in AI, robotics, and high-performance mobility. Built on the proven Super Formula SF23 platform, the EAV-24 has been reengineered to incorporate enhanced sensor arrays, upgraded compute systems, and refined control logic, optimized for the demanding conditions of autonomous racing.
This year's league welcomes elite research teams from 10 countries, with the global roster expanding to include France and Japan for the first time, joining a strong line-up of returning teams from the USA, Germany, China, Singapore, Italy, and the UAE. As the world's most advanced competition for autonomous systems, A2RL continues to bridge the gap between simulation and real-world application.
A key innovation this season is the launch of A2RL SIM-Sprint. A series of virtual races designed to fast-track algorithm refinement and test AI systems in diverse conditions, the SIM Sprint extends A2RL into a year-round development ecosystem. By offering a consistent and controlled environment for experimentation, the SIM Sprint allows teams to accelerate the development of their autonomous driving algorithms beyond what is possible through real-world testing alone. It is especially valuable for tackling 'edge cases', rare or extreme scenarios that are difficult to replicate on track but are critical for building resilient AI.
Over time, A2RL aims to open the SIM Sprint to a wider community of participants, including fans, independent developers, and aspiring teams worldwide. A structured progression system – from Sim Academy to Sim Pro, and eventually to real-world A2RL qualification – will provide new pathways for talent to enter the league and contribute to the future of high-performance autonomy.
H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Advisor to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs and Secretary General of ATRC, said: 'With A2RL, we're not just testing autonomous technology, we're accelerating its evolution in the most demanding conditions possible. It's a showcase of engineering excellence, but more importantly, a platform for the future of mobility. From high-speed racing to real-world applications, we are demonstrating what's possible when nations invest in deep tech innovation and challenge the world to think faster, build smarter, and compete responsibly.'
Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, added: 'By combining the physical thrill of racing with the precision of virtual testing, we're enabling the world's best minds to push the boundaries of AI. This year's expanded league reflects Abu Dhabi's commitment to challenge-driven innovation, where real-world impact is engineered at speed and scale.'
At the heart of the competition is the Dallara Super Formula SF23, a next-generation open-wheel race car that was autonomized exclusively for A2RL. First unveiled in the inaugural race, the SF23 is built from sustainable bio-composite materials, weighs 690 kg, and is the fastest open-wheel race car in the world after Formula One, reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h. Equipped with advanced braking systems, drive-by-wire throttle control, and a custom-built autonomous stack, the SF23 gives each team a state-of-the-art platform to adapt and optimize their AI driving algorithms in the pursuit of peak performance.
Through ASPIRE and under the broader umbrella of ATRC, A2RL continues to position Abu Dhabi as a global leader in high-performance autonomy, transforming the way intelligent systems are developed, tested, and deployed.
About Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League:
The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) is a pioneering new series of competition that combines the push for artificial intelligence (AI) innovation through extreme sports. Each year, engineers, programmers, and scientists will come together to develop leading-edge AI for a variety of autonomous vehicles, including cars, drones and buggies, ready to compete in a series of challenges and claim their stake in a multi-million-dollar prize pool.
Organized by ASPIRE, the innovation acceleration arm of Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology and Research Council, A2RL aims to accelerate the global development of autonomous systems and technologies. It is also intended to help make Abu Dhabi a global R&D hub for autonomous vehicle technology while also inspiring the next generation of STEM talent.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CairoScene
4 days ago
- CairoScene
Egypt to Launch 5G Services Nationwide on June 4th
The NTRA confirms that 5G services will begin rolling out in Egypt from Wednesday June 4th, starting with major cities. Jun 03, 2025 Egypt will officially roll out 5G services across the country starting Wednesday, June 4th. The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) will hold an event to celebrate the launch at the Giza Pyramids on the same day. The launch follows significant investments by Egypt's four telecom operators—Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, Etisalat Misr, and Telecom Egypt—who have collectively spent around USD 2.7 billion on 5G spectrum licenses and infrastructure since 2019. The new generation of connectivity is expected to deliver faster internet speeds, lower latency, and improved capacity for high-demand services. The NTRA stated that the 5G launch aligns with national efforts to support digital transformation, smart cities, and future-ready industries. Initial coverage will prioritise key economic and administrative zones, with a phased expansion to other regions expected later this year.
CairoScene
29-05-2025
- CairoScene
How to Spend the Summer in Saudi
From cool highlands to coral coastlines, here's your cheat sheet to summer in the Kingdom. If your September-through-June has consisted of glaring at endless emails/assignments/client amends, then summer only means one thing: deleting Slack off your phone, fluttering from one air-conditioned room to the next, and binge-watching shows that prove you've been settling in a lot more areas than just your love life. But what if this summer, you actually did something wild? Or at least…not sad? Something that makes your Instagram pop and your friends more than just a little jealous? This summer, Saudi is serving up adventures that'll have you hopping from adrenaline-pumping esports battles (yes, actual gladiators of the gaming world), to beaches so exclusive you'll question if you're dreaming. So, if you're ready to give your summer a little extra colour—beyond the usual tan lines and ice cream runs—you might want to pack up, switch off, and head straight to Saudi because this Summer 2025 lineup might just blow the dust off your bucket list (or hat, whichever). The Olympics of Gaming: Esports World Cup 📍Boulevard Riyadh City 📅July 7th – August 24th With over 2,000 top-tier players, 25+ titles, and a USD 70 million prize pool, the Esports World Cup is the biggest show in gaming—and it's taking over Riyadh. Expect meetups with icons, fan zones, interactive pop-ups, and the kind of energy you can feel in your teeth. Roses, Ruins & Road-Trips: Taif Taif is what happens when nature, nostalgia, and fragrance meet. Visit working rose distilleries, wander the regal ruins of Kaaki Palace, cool off in Arruddaf Park, or road-trip to Wahba Crater, a mind-bending volcanic pit surrounded by desert nothingness. It's a sensory overload—in the best way. Carnival by the Coast: Jeddah Season Jeddah Season brings the Red Sea to life with concerts, street art, seaside food stalls, and immersive zones like Forest Wonder. Don't miss the old-school spectacle of Circus 1903, or the laid-back vibes of West Coast Festival. Bonus: the Jeddah Shopping Festival will test your self-control. Ain't No Mountain High Enough: Aseer At 3,000 meters up, the Aseer mountains offer a rare Middle Eastern summer escape—misty mornings, cool nights, and vibrant villages. Walk Art Street, zipline across Al Habala, sip qahwa in Sky Village, and dive into Saudi's soul at Rijal Alma. It's a refresh for both the lungs and the spirit. Orb Villas & Ocean Views: The Red Sea Imagine waking up in a floating orb-shaped villa, kayaking through mangroves by day, and watching bioluminescent plankton light up your night swim. The Red Sea is fast becoming one of the world's most exclusive escapes—think Shebara Resort , Desert Rock , and more than 90 untouched islands waiting to be explored.
Mid East Info
28-05-2025
- Mid East Info
Emirates NBD Partners with iPiD to Enhance Payment Safety with Global Payee Verification - Middle East Business News and Information
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 2025: Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENAT) region, has announced its partnership with iPiD, a global Know Your Payee (KYP) validation provider. The collaboration will enable Emirates NBD to provide real-time beneficiary validation for cross-border payments. With this solution, customers can verify payee names, IBANs and account numbers in real time, before a payment is made. This will help reduce fraud, prevent transaction failures due to inaccurate details and boost efficiency. By integrating iPiD's solution, Emirates NBD strengthens its fraud prevention strategy while laying the groundwork for scalable payee verification across global markets. This collaboration underscores Emirates NBD's leadership in embracing innovative and advanced technologies to offer a safer banking experience. Anith Daniel, Group Head of Transaction Banking Services at Emirates NBD, said: 'At Emirates NBD we are committed to delivering an exceptional digital experience for our customers, underpinned by robust security and trust. Our partnership with iPiD – bringing global payee verification capabilities to enhance cross-border payments– reinforces this commitment. Together, we are ensuring safer, more efficient digital payments for our customers, domestically or across borders.' Damien Dagauquier, CEO & Co-founder at iPiD, said: 'Our partnership with Emirates NBD marks a significant milestone in our mission to make global payments simpler and safer for everyone. With our advanced API and validation capabilities, we are empowering institutions like Emirates NBD to proactively combat fraud and deliver seamless payment experiences.' About Emirates NBD: Emirates NBD (DFM: Emirates NBD) is a leading banking group in the MENAT (Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye) region with a presence in 13 countries, serving over 9 million active customers. As at 31st March 2025, total assets were AED 1 trillion, (equivalent to approx. USD 272 billion). The Group has operations in the UAE, Egypt, India, Türkiye, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Russia and Bahrain and representative offices in China and Indonesia with a total of 839 branches and 4,539 ATMs / SDMs. Emirates NBD is the leading financial services brand in the UAE with a Brand value of USD 4.54 billion. Emirates NBD Group serves its customers (individuals, businesses, governments, and institutions) and helps them realise their financial objectives through a range of banking products and services including retail banking, corporate and institutional banking, Islamic banking, investment banking, private banking, asset management, global markets and treasury, and brokerage operations. The Group is a key participant in the global digital banking industry with 97% of all financial transactions and requests conducted outside of its branches. The Group also operates Liv, the lifestyle digital bank by Emirates NBD, with close to half a million users, it continues to be the fastest-growing bank in the region. Emirates NBD contributes to the construction of a sustainable future as an active participant and supporter of the UAE's main development and sustainability initiatives, including financial wellness and the inclusion of people of determination. Emirates NBD is committed to supporting the UAE's Year of Sustainability as Principal Banking Partner of COP28 and an early supporter to the Dubai Can sustainability initiative, a city-wide initiative aimed to reduce use of single-use plastic bottled water.
