Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) is set to launch three new ventures this year to enhance research and development in the UAE. The initiatives will focus on data security in the quantum era, advancements in smart autonomous mobility, and AgriTech through robotic technologies. These projects, aimed at converting research into market-ready products and services, will be executed by ATRC's commercialization arm, VentureOne.
The plans were reviewed by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, who emphasized the UAE’s role as a hub for innovation and the importance of technology-based solutions in key sectors. Since its establishment in 2020 at Masdar City, the ATRC has been instrumental in shaping Abu Dhabi’s research strategy, funding investments, and driving policy for smart decision-making.
The UAE has made notable progress in research and development, ranking as the top Arab country on the UN Frontier Technologies Readiness Index 2023, moving up five places to 37th out of 166 countries.
Additionally, Sheikh Khaled reviewed further plans to bolster Abu Dhabi's global R&D position, highlighting the UAE Research Map, which has garnered over 2,000 visits and features 30 entities and more than 450 experts. He also stressed the importance of preparing national talent in STEM fields.
The council’s applied research arm, the Technology Innovation Institute, recently launched the Abu Dhabi Quantum Optical Ground Station, the largest facility of its kind in the MENA region dedicated to secure free-space optical communications.
