Abu Dhabi's Sha Emirates Island to get self driving transport

Sha Emirates is set to open in 2026. Photo: Sha Wellness Clinics / Imkan

Bayanat, a geospatial data products and services provider, has signed an initial agreement with Abu Dhabi-based real estate developer Imkan for the development of smart mobility infrastructure on Sha Emirates island in the Al Jurf district.

The project will feature an integrated and artificial intelligence-enabled transportation ecosystem that allows for fully autonomous driving on the wellness island, Bayanat said in a statement on Tuesday.

Sha Emirates is a planned residential community designed to be the “world's first well-being island”. It's located on a private island within the Al Jurf development, located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The project, which will open in 2026, is a partnership between Imkan and European wellness brand Sha Wellness Clinic.

Zulal by Thai wellness group Chiva-Som opened in Qatar in 2022. All photos: Zulal by Chiva-Som

The wellness retreat offers both international and Taim (Traditional Arabic & Islamic Medicine) therapies

There are more than 311 treatments to choose from, including massages, fitness classes and physiotherapy

The retreat has a private temperature-controlled pool for Watsu, a form of guided meditation and hydrotherapy

Treatments such as reiki and sound healing are also on offer

The state-of-the-art spa includes a large Himalayan salt chamber

The hammam room in the spa

Hot and cold pools, as well as an ice cave, help spa visitors relax and rejuvenate

The resort also has various outdoor pools and lagoons

Floating meditation classes are available at Zulal Serenity, the adults-only half of the property

Zulal Discovery, meanwhile, is open to families with children of all ages

All rooms come with private plunge pools

A sculpture by artist Anish Kapoor is placed in the lobby that also doubles as a library, tea room and apothecary

Organic, sugar-free and gluten-free healthy food is a point of pride at Zulal

Vegetarians and vegans are well-catered to, with innovative dishes such as chlorophyll rolls with olive sauce

Aizoon restaurant offers Mediterranean-Middle Eastern cuisine, including dishes such as moutabel shamandar

An artfully plated quinoa tabbouleh

Elsewhere, Al Sidr serves pan-Asian dishes and Accacia is inspired by fine-dining European restaurants

Royal honey or coconut sugar are used as sweeteners in the vegan berry cheesecake and other desserts

The property is a 90-minute drive from Doha, and rooms start from 1,500 Qatari riyals ($433) at Zulal Discovery and QAR3,500 at Zulal Serenity

Imkan will develop the project’s physical infrastructure, while Bayanat will provide the critical digital infrastructure for autonomous vehicles and unmanned systems.

“Bayanat has long been a pioneer of autonomous driving and unmanned systems in the Middle East,” said Abdulla Al Shamsi, chief operating officer at Bayanat.

“We are excited about this joint project with Imkan, which will combine our expertise to create a unique concept globally – a healthy-living island featuring autonomous vehicles,” he added.

Bayanat's digital twin technology will help create a virtual replica of the island's infrastructure. This will allow for real-time monitoring and management of autonomous transportation systems, ensuring smooth operations without the need for human intervention.

The technology will also facilitate predictive maintenance, optimise traffic flow, and enhance the safety and reliability of autonomous vehicles, Bayanat said.

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“Partnering with Bayanat seamlessly integrates state-of-the-art technology with our physical infrastructure, essential for bringing this visionary project to life,” said Suwaidan Al Dhaheri, chief executive of Imkan.

Beyond the joint infrastructure, the partners will also closely collaborate on data privacy and sustainability efforts, Bayanat said.

The real estate wellness market is booming as people seek environments that reduce stress and support healthy lifestyles, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic.

The wellness real estate market worldwide is expected to be worth $913 billion by 2028, compared with $438 billion last year, according to the Global Wellness Institute.

Meanwhile, the UAE’s property market has continued to record strong growth on the back of government initiatives and the expansion of its economy.

Abu Dhabi's real estate sector attracted a record Dh1.81 billion ($493 million) in foreign direct investment in the first quarter of 2024, as demand for property continues to rise in the UAE capital.

In Dubai, where the real estate sector is a key component of the economy, the residential and commercial sectors posted “significant” growth in the first quarter of 2024, according to consultancy ValuStrat.

For 2024, the emirate's real estate cycle is expected to head towards a “new phase”, with a projected resurgence in the apartment market and tempered growth for villas, ValuStrat said in its outlook for this year.