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Oct 20, 2016 | By Tess

Over the past week, the GITEX technology event hosted at the Dubai World Trade Center has been a hotbed for tech innovations within the Middle East. As we covered earlier this week, it was there that the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) announced it would be integrating 3D printing into all of the city’s hospitals by 2017, and even more recently, UAE-based company DigiRobotics unveiled the country’s first 3D printed autonomous vehicle. The self-driving car, called WiGo, marks the UAE’s first 3D printed unmanned vehicle that has been manufactured, assembled, and programmed in the UAE.

As mentioned, WiGo was unveiled at the 36th edition of GITEX, where it was used to bring visitors from the DWTC metro station to the exhibition gate—we can only imagine the excitement of being greeted by a self-driving car at the tech event. Designed with eco-friendliness in mind, the WiGo combines a powerful sensor system and an advanced GPS tracking system, which allow it to recognize obstacles in its path, and subsequently stop or take another route. According to the developers, the self-driving 3D printed car is thus safe for the public.

Inside the 3D printed autonomous car, GITEX visitors discovered two pairs of seats, both facing each other, as well as a large screen and four accompanying iPads. According to a DigiRobotics representative, these iPads are used by the passengers to determine the location they are headed to, as well as for entertainment.

DigiRobotics began developing WiGo in response to the automotive initiative put out by Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which seeks to make 25% of the country’s vehicles self-driving by the year 2030. The Autonomous Vehicle Guidance (AVG) strategy is also in line with Dubai’s 3D printing strategy, which seeks to make 25% of all new buildings 3D printed by 2030, to implement additive manufacturing in the medical sector, and more.

Obviously seeking to become a world leader in emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles and 3D printing, the UAE has been making some undeniable strides. For now, however, there is no word on whether or not the WiGo will be commercially available anytime soon, or what other developments may be integrated into its design. Despite that, DigiRobotics, one of the Middle East’s leading robotics companies, has certainly impressed not only GITEX visitors, but also us, with its 3D printed self-driving car.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Application

 

 

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