Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi’s first pilot programme for autonomous delivery vehicles, recently launched by the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), marks a major milestone in the emirate’s push toward smart mobility and AI-driven logistics.
According to a technology expert, this landmark initiative serves as a strategic catalyst that could ultimately position the UAE as a hub for autonomous innovation in transport and logistics.
The pilot was rolled out in partnership with K2, EMX, the logistics arm of 7X, and under the supervision of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC). The project includes the issuance of Abu Dhabi’s first official licence plate for a self-driving delivery vehicle, signalling the start of formal integration of autonomous transport into the regulatory framework.
The auto-delivery vehicles, developed by K2 subsidiary Autogo, are equipped with AI-powered navigation and smart mobility systems and are being tested in Masdar City, a controlled environment that has become a hub for sustainable innovation.
By 2040, Abu Dhabi aims to ensure that 25% of all trips are conducted using smart transport solutions, building on earlier achievements such as the launch of autonomous taxis.
Artificial intelligence expert Dr. Zaid Rababaah said the pilot would accelerate AI adoption in the UAE’s smart mobility by providing real-world data, fostering regulatory clarity, and boosting public trust.
"This positions the UAE as a regional leader and global competitor in AI mobility, showcasing regulatory readiness, innovation capacity, and commitment to sustainability and smart city leadership,” Dr. Rababaah told Aletihad.
Remote monitoring will remain essential in the near term for safety, liability, and trust, although oversight may gradually shift from active control to exception handling as AI systems mature, he explained.
He described the initiative as “a living lab in Masdar City, attracting global investors and researchers to test AI mobility in a controlled, forward-looking environment”.
While stressing the current importance of human involvement, he explained that “human oversight provides reassurance, but future systems may rely more on AI-driven fallback mechanisms, reducing the need for continuous monitoring”.
Dr. Rababaah also pointed out that by issuing the first licence plates for autonomous vehicles, the UAE signals regulatory maturity and builds a competitive edge in shaping global smart mobility standards.
Looking ahead, Autogo plans to expand operations beyond Masdar City, working with new partners and extending the pilot to wider public areas, with full commercial deployment expected in the coming months, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s long-term vision of becoming a global leader in future mobility, according to the Integrated Transport Centre.
Dr. Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre, earlier said: “The pilot operation of autonomous delivery vehicles in Masdar City is a pivotal milestone in Abu Dhabi’s journey towards building a smart, sustainable transport system that supports our vision of a more innovative and efficient future. It also demonstrates Abu Dhabi’s readiness to adopt and implement the latest global solutions within a safe and reliable regulatory framework.”
Multiple studies show that such autonomous delivery vehicles will help reduce congestion and carbon emissions in urban settings.
According to a 2024 study on Sidewalk Autonomous Delivery Robots (SADRs) conducted using data from Los Angeles, SADRs can cut between 0.7 and 1.59 vehicle-miles travelled per order and therefore reduce emissions by 67% to approximately 99% under different scenarios.
