Parkin, Dubai’s largest provider of paid public parking, is deploying more than 500 AI-powered kerbside and pole cameras across key areas of the city, the first technology of its kind in the region. The rollout, combined with the elimination of cash payments for parking starting June 1, represents a significant modernization of Dubai’s urban mobility infrastructure.
The smart cameras are being installed across Trade Centre 1, Burj Khalifa, and Al Corniche areas, with an additional 200 cameras planned for other parts of the city. Parking lot cameras have also been deployed in controlled parking areas. The AI technology enables automatic detection of parking violations and real-time monitoring of space availability, reducing the need for manual enforcement patrols.
Parkin is also extending smart parking solutions to Dubai’s major shopping destinations. New systems at Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall, and Marina Mall use sensor technology to guide drivers to available spaces while ensuring People of Determination spots remain accessible. The systems are designed to reduce circling time and improve the overall parking experience at some of the city’s most visited commercial locations.
The move to cashless payments, part of the government’s Dubai Cashless Strategy for 2026, ends cash payment options for public parking as of June 1. Motorists can continue to use nol cards or the Parkin mobile application, which the company says offers a more convenient and cost-effective experience compared to the traditional SMS payment method.
For Dubai’s business community, the parking modernization has practical implications. Reduced search times for parking in commercial districts translate to productivity gains, while the AI enforcement system is expected to improve compliance and revenue collection. The shift to digital payments also generates data that urban planners can use to optimize parking supply and pricing across the city.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to position Dubai as a smart city leader, leveraging technology to improve quality of life and operational efficiency. Parkin, which listed on the Dubai Financial Market in 2024, has signaled that further technology investments are planned as the emirate continues to grow its urban population and visitor numbers.
Source: What’s On Dubai | Business of Dubai
