Dubai taxis to feature wi-fi and smart screens

Passengers in Dubai’s taxis will soon be able to enjoy wi-fi access and smart screens after telecommunications company du entered into a new agreement with Dubai Taxi Corporation.

The corporation – part of the Roads and Transport Authority – will install 500 of its Dubai Airport fleet’s vehicles with the technology, according to state news agency WAM.

The wi-fi will be part of the country-wide Wi-fi UAE initiative, while the smart screens will be provided through du’s partnership with Malaysian ICT solutions developer, Gigalink Solutions.

Dr Yousef Mohammed Al Ali, CEO of Dubai Taxi Corporations, said that the smart screens will show customers promotional advertisements, RTA services, information about the city’s tourist destinations, and transparency on the cost of the journey, and that the partnership is part of an ongoing commitment by RTA to meet the needs of Dubai’s residents and visitors in time for Expo 2020.

“Our pre-eminent cooperation with du to provide internet connectivity and smart screens across our Dubai Airport fleet truly embodies the Smart Dubai strategy to bring innovation and smart living to Dubai,” he said.

“The importance of this agreement lies in the consolidation of our partnerships with various parties to improve the quality of services provided to the public – to reach the seven-star level Dubai is renowned for.”

Carlos Domingo, chief new business and innovation officer at du, added: “We see it as our responsibility to cooperate with the various entities in the public and private sectors to implement smart services and interconnected networked technologies throughout the city.”