"Integrated transportation" Launches the first regional experiment to operate self-driving trucks in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI, 27th February, 2017 (WAM) – The Integrated Transport Center of the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi launched a pilot project to operate self-driving trucks in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, in cooperation with the international company “Autotec”, which specializes in developing self-driving vehicle systems, and the Abu Dhabi Ports Company, within the Khalifa Economic Zones – Abu Dhabi “KIZAD”.
The project is the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region in the field of operating self-driving trucks for the purposes of logistical and goods transportation, which reflects the expansion of applications of intelligent transportation systems to include various sectors of modern movement and transportation.
The project aims to evaluate the operation of self-driving trucks within a specific industrial and logistics environment, as test flights were carried out on designated routes within the Kizad areas, in accordance with approved regulatory frameworks and operational standards that guarantee the highest levels of safety and operational quality.
During the year 2025, the developing company, under the supervision of the Integrated Transport Center, worked to adapt autonomous driving systems based on artificial intelligence with the requirements of local roads and logistical transportation needs, to ensure that trips are carried out with high efficiency and operational smoothness, while adhering to global safety standards and testing the technology’s readiness for operation in realistic environments.
The project comes within the efforts of the Integrated Transport Center to enhance the smart and autonomous transportation system in the emirate, and to develop innovative solutions that serve supply chains and logistical operations, thus raising the efficiency of goods transportation and improving operational performance, in preparation for the transition to the commercial operation of self-driving transportation services.
Dr. Abdullah Hamad Al Ghafli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Center, confirmed that the project represents an important organizational step within the process of developing the smart mobility system in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and reflects the center’s direction towards expanding the scope of applications of self-driving systems to include the goods transport and logistics services sector in addition to passenger transport.
He explained that, through these experiments, the Center is keen to evaluate technical solutions within safe and organized operational environments, which contributes to building future policies and legislation based on actual field data and experiences.
He added that these initiatives contribute to enhancing the efficiency of the transportation system and supporting the competitiveness of economic sectors, in addition to consolidating Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading regional center in adopting smart transportation solutions and autonomous systems, in line with the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031.
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