The United Arab Emirates has successfully completed initial tests for its first driverless trucks, conducted by logistics and aviation hub Dubai South and local company Evocargo.
Following an agreement signed in December 2022, the Evocargo N1, an unmanned electric vehicle, was tested on a set route within the Dubai South logistics district, operating alongside pedestrians, automobiles and trucks.
The vehicle’s automated functionality was assessed, including its array of cameras and ultrasonic sensors that provide 360° visibility. Key aspects tested included object detection, accident prevention, collision avoidance, emergency stops, parking maneuvers and reverse operations. No failures or hazardous incidents were reported.
A control hub for remote monitoring and control of the truck also functioned without issues. In the second stage of testing, the N1 was evaluated for freight transportation on a standardized route in a closed area, successfully completing all tasks.
Ahmed Al-Ansi, CEO of Evocargo, said, “Evocargo’s trials in the UAE highlight our objective to provide reliable and efficient logistics services in the region.”
This initiative is part of Dubai’s broader autonomous transportation strategy, which aims to have 25% of all journeys in the emirate conducted by autonomous solutions by 2030.
Mohsen Ahmad, CEO of the logistics district at Dubai South, commented, “This groundbreaking milestone underscores Dubai South’s commitment to supporting the UAE’s vision of establishing Dubai as a global logistics powerhouse.”
“Autonomous vehicles will play a crucial role in revolutionizing the industry, enhancing efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint, thereby creating a sustainable and technologically advanced logistics infrastructure for Dubai and the UAE.”