Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) and autonomous vehicle technology company Oxa have launched SHIFFT, a joint venture to establish Dubai as a hub for autonomous logistics.
SHIFFT will incorporate self-driving technology into an integrated autonomous logistics and worksite intelligence product, enabling end-to-end operational deployment. The venture will focus on deploying autonomous vehicles in ports and airports, with a first scalable commercial deployment planned for Dubai before the end of 2027.
The autonomous systems will use the Oxa Driver self-driving software, paired with the company’s cloud-based fleet management platform, Oxa Hub, along with Oxa’s autonomy hardware systems, which are designed to integrate with existing vehicle fleets.
SHIFFT forms part of Dubai’s Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Program, launched by DFF in November 2024 to boost the knowledge-based economy, create high-tech jobs and establish Dubai as a regional R&D hub. The companies said the venture will support Dubai’s goal of doubling foreign trade volume by 2033.
Khalifa Al Qama, chief of Dubai’s RDI ecosystem, overseen by Dubai Future Foundation, said, “To achieve Dubai’s ambition of doubling foreign trade by 2033, we must continue to develop and deploy solutions that strengthen the speed, efficiency and resilience of our logistics sector. SHIFFT reflects the purpose of the Dubai RDI Program, bringing together global expertise and local capabilities to develop commercially viable solutions with real-world impact. Through this joint venture, we are advancing autonomous mobility, creating new economic opportunities and strengthening Dubai’s position as a global hub for the future of logistics.”
Oxa founder and CEO Paul Newman said, “Forming this new business with DFF will accelerate the commercialization of Oxa’s Industrial Mobile Autonomy (IMA) technology, turning ordinary work vehicles into a digital workforce. Operating in major industrial environments, we will leverage autonomy to unlock new levels of efficiency, reliability and safety for operators of industrial fleets.”
In related news, P-CAL project demonstrates autonomous logistics in live port environment