Doha, 06 January 2021: Sponsored by Vodafone Qatar, and through a partnership with Talabat and the support from Qatar Foundation Research, Development and Innovation (QF RDI), Airlift Systems has introduced Qatar’s first 5G powered smart delivery transport in Education City - the MENA’s first pilot of a self-driving delivery vehicle
During the trial, Education City residents, students and staff can place orders on Talabat and pay online through the usual process to get their deliveries. To ensure the food is delivered securely, customers are provided QR codes, which they will use to unlock the vehicle’s compartment and retrieve the package.
This pilot is a three-month trial of the vehicle’s capacity to show performance comparable to, or indistinct from that of a human. The trial will also obtain consumer feedback, using it to develop strategies that ensures customer satisfaction in a long-term deployment.
The vehicle is equipped with a real-time low latency feedback system powered by Vodafone’s 5G network and monitored remotely in a control room at Education City. This allows the operator to have access to control the vehicle in emergency cases and to stop the vehicle when needed.
Diego Camberos, Chief Operating Officer of Vodafone Qatar, said, “Vodafone Qatar understands the critical role of innovation in building a diversified and competitive economy, which is why we are committed to supporting innovative Qatari start-ups such as Airlift. Our extensive 5G network provides extremely high bandwidth, ultra-low latency, and the high levels of security Airlift's driverless vehicles need to function efficiently. The Airlift project is a perfect example of how 5G is enabling the digital transformation of mobility and other areas that are already shaping an exciting future for us all.”
Ahmed Mohamedali, CEO of Airlift Systems, said, “We’re eager to work with enterprises to experiment with our self-driving technology which is cost effective and agile to capture its value and augment their staff productivity. And we’re very glad to have formed this unique partnership with Talabat Qatar and thankful for the support from Vodafone and QF RDI office to enable this pilot. We’re also very grateful for the continued support from Qatar Science& Technology Park that was provided to Airlift since inception.”
With delivery trips starting from Multaqa (Education City Student Center), the vehicle will service three locations - SouthNest (Male Student Housing), NorthNest (Female Student Housing), and The Campus
- Education City Guest Residence. It will drive at a maximum speed of 6 km/hr, equivalent to human walking pace, and will be strictly limited to sidewalks, using roadways only for crossings.
-END-
About Vodafone Qatar P.Q.S.C
Vodafone Qatar P.Q.S.C. ("Vodafone Qatar") provides a comprehensive range of services including voice, messaging, data, fixed communications, IoT and ICT managed services in the State of Qatar, for both consumers and businesses alike. The Company commenced commercial operations in 2009 and has 1.7 million mobile customers as of 30 September 2020. Its state-of-the-art network infrastructure is expanding to cover key locations in the country with fibre connectivity and 5G, along with an extensive digital ecosystem, which will contribute to Qatar's continued growth and prosperity. Vodafone Qatar’s vision is deeply rooted in its mission to connect today’s ideas with the technologies of tomorrow by pioneering digital innovation and becoming people’s first choice in telecom and digital services. Please visit www.vodafone.qa for more details.
For press enquiries, please contact:
Lana Khachan
E-mail: lana.khachan@vodafone.qa
About Airlift
Airlift is a technology startup based at QSTP offering a mobile utility platform designed to unlock the value of autonomous systems for all. From our headquarters in Qatar and tech hub in the Netherlands, we work with enterprises to experiment with our self-driving technology which is cost effective and agile to capture its value and augment their staff productivity. As a company, our mission is to pioneer the on-demand mobility solutions market with efficient and sustainable innovations. http://airliftsystems.com
Airlift Systems
Ahmed Mohamedali
ahmed@airliftsystems.com
During the trial, Education City residents, students and staff can place orders on Talabat and pay online through the usual process to get their deliveries. To ensure the food is delivered securely, customers are provided QR codes, which they will use to unlock the vehicle’s compartment and retrieve the package.
This pilot is a three-month trial of the vehicle’s capacity to show performance comparable to, or indistinct from that of a human. The trial will also obtain consumer feedback, using it to develop strategies that ensures customer satisfaction in a long-term deployment.
The vehicle is equipped with a real-time low latency feedback system powered by Vodafone’s 5G network and monitored remotely in a control room at Education City. This allows the operator to have access to control the vehicle in emergency cases and to stop the vehicle when needed.
Diego Camberos, Chief Operating Officer of Vodafone Qatar, said, “Vodafone Qatar understands the critical role of innovation in building a diversified and competitive economy, which is why we are committed to supporting innovative Qatari start-ups such as Airlift. Our extensive 5G network provides extremely high bandwidth, ultra-low latency, and the high levels of security Airlift's driverless vehicles need to function efficiently. The Airlift project is a perfect example of how 5G is enabling the digital transformation of mobility and other areas that are already shaping an exciting future for us all.”
Ahmed Mohamedali, CEO of Airlift Systems, said, “We’re eager to work with enterprises to experiment with our self-driving technology which is cost effective and agile to capture its value and augment their staff productivity. And we’re very glad to have formed this unique partnership with Talabat Qatar and thankful for the support from Vodafone and QF RDI office to enable this pilot. We’re also very grateful for the continued support from Qatar Science& Technology Park that was provided to Airlift since inception.”
With delivery trips starting from Multaqa (Education City Student Center), the vehicle will service three locations - SouthNest (Male Student Housing), NorthNest (Female Student Housing), and The Campus
- Education City Guest Residence. It will drive at a maximum speed of 6 km/hr, equivalent to human walking pace, and will be strictly limited to sidewalks, using roadways only for crossings.
-END-
About Vodafone Qatar P.Q.S.C
Vodafone Qatar P.Q.S.C. ("Vodafone Qatar") provides a comprehensive range of services including voice, messaging, data, fixed communications, IoT and ICT managed services in the State of Qatar, for both consumers and businesses alike. The Company commenced commercial operations in 2009 and has 1.7 million mobile customers as of 30 September 2020. Its state-of-the-art network infrastructure is expanding to cover key locations in the country with fibre connectivity and 5G, along with an extensive digital ecosystem, which will contribute to Qatar's continued growth and prosperity. Vodafone Qatar’s vision is deeply rooted in its mission to connect today’s ideas with the technologies of tomorrow by pioneering digital innovation and becoming people’s first choice in telecom and digital services. Please visit www.vodafone.qa for more details.
For press enquiries, please contact:
Lana Khachan
E-mail: lana.khachan@vodafone.qa
About Airlift
Airlift is a technology startup based at QSTP offering a mobile utility platform designed to unlock the value of autonomous systems for all. From our headquarters in Qatar and tech hub in the Netherlands, we work with enterprises to experiment with our self-driving technology which is cost effective and agile to capture its value and augment their staff productivity. As a company, our mission is to pioneer the on-demand mobility solutions market with efficient and sustainable innovations. http://airliftsystems.com
Airlift Systems
Ahmed Mohamedali
ahmed@airliftsystems.com