As we all know, Dubai’s never one to sit still, and this week’s GITEX Global proved it once again. From biometric check-ins to smart taxis and police apps that reward good behaviour (yes, really), here are the three incredibly clever new innovations travellers to Dubai and the UAE can look forward to very soon.
1. Check-in magic
While long immigration queues in the UAE are already a thing of the past, rummaging for passports will soon be history too. How so? Well, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) is rolling out next-gen biometric systems that are already in pilot stages at Dubai’s airports and select hotels.
For repeat visitors, this means you’ll no longer need to scan your passport at airports. Your biometric data will do all the work, recognising you instantly along the “red carpet” at immigration, and even at your hotel check-in. Simply present yourself (literally), and the system pulls up your information from a central secure database. It’s fast, it’s futuristic, and it’s about to make the UAE’s airport experience even smoother.
2. Taxis as personal tour guides
Hailing a cab in Dubai is about to get a high-tech twist. The Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) will be rolling out its sleek new fleet of electric taxis on the Bolt app from next year. Their ultimate goal is making 100% of taxis electric by 2040.
But that’s not all. On DTC’s wishlist is a feature guaranteed to delight travellers. And that is a real-time backseat tour guide experience, where screens display engaging commentary and fun facts about landmarks you’re passing. Imagine learning about the Musuem of the Future, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame, or Al Fahidi Fort while gliding past them in AC comfort. It’s sightseeing meets sustainability, all in one ride, and we can’t wait to try it out.
3. Earn points while paying fines
Because only in Dubai would the police app get a magnificent makeover that includes a loyalty scheme. The newly enhanced Dubai Police app will soon be rolled out and will include three brand new features:
- AIX, the AI-powered system that listens, analyses, and responds to enquiries in real time;
- a volunteer programme for those keen to lend a hand in community initiatives, where you’d receive a certificate for your involvement; and
- a loyalty points system that lets you earn points for good deeds, training, etc.; and these pointsm can be used to pay your fines. Brilliant!
The revamped interface is smoother, smarter, and far more user-friendly, giving users easy access to everything from reporting lost items to finding safety tips in fewer clicks. Whether you’re a first-timer or a frequent visitor to Dubai, this sure is a neat way to stay connected with the city’s famously tech-forward police force.
With apps that reward you, hotels that know you, and taxis that teach you, Dubai’s next wave of smart travel tech just shouts to the rest of the world that not only has the future arrived early here, it has arrived in style.
