ABU DHABI, UAE — 27 February 2026: Abu Dhabi has begun the MENA region’s first pilot operation of autonomous freight trucks, running supervised trips inside a major industrial zone. The trials will test safety, regulatory readiness and commercial viability for driverless logistics.
Table of Contents
Stakeholders and partners
- Integrated Transport Centre — project lead and regulator
- Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi — test site and logistics hub
- Autotech — autonomous systems developer
- AD Ports Group — industry partner
- Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli — ITC acting director-general
Launch site and operational scope
The Integrated Transport Centre ran supervised pilot trips of autonomous trucks on dedicated routes inside Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD). The experiments were strictly freight-only and kept inside the industrial park, where entry, routing and traffic are easier to control than on public roads. That made this an ideal place to push the tech a little further without exposing everyday drivers or commuters.
Technology and implementation
The trial is being delivered in collaboration with Autotech and AD Ports Group. Autotech supplied the AI-based driving systems; AD Ports brought logistics know-how and operational support. Engineers spent much of 2025 tweaking software and mapping routes to match local road geometry, loading patterns and safety needs. In short: the kit was adapted to the emirate, not the other way round.
Strategic importance for Abu Dhabi
This is the MENA region’s inaugural autonomous truck pilot for freight, setting a benchmark for other Gulf logistics hubs.
Regulatory design: ITC plans to use the runs to gather real operational data that will feed safety rules, licensing requirements and standards for commercial deployments.
Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre, said, “This project represents an important regulatory milestone in advancing the smart mobility ecosystem in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It reflects the Centre’s direction towards expanding the application of autonomous systems to include freight and logistics transport, alongside passenger transport. Through these pilot initiatives, the Centre is committed to evaluating technical solutions within safe and structured operational frameworks, supporting the development of future policies and regulations based on real-world data and practical experience.”
He added, “These initiatives contribute to enhancing the efficiency of the transport ecosystem, supporting the competitiveness of economic sectors, and reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading regional hub in adopting smart mobility solutions and autonomous systems, in line with the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031.”
Officials say the technology could, if proven and scaled, shave costs, tighten schedules and boost competitiveness for firms operating across Abu Dhabi’s economic zones.
Safety and testing approach
Trials ran on approved, dedicated routes under strict operational frameworks. Tests were staged — initial low-speed runs, then heavier loads and longer trips — with engineers watching system responses and fail-safe behaviour. The point was never speed; it was predictability and reliability under real working conditions.
ITC will analyze pilot data and testing results to refine regulations, safety protocols and technical specs. If the numbers add up and safety checks pass, authorities could move to phased commercial trials and, eventually, wider rollouts along strategic logistics corridors.
