The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) and logistics firm Aramex have launched a pilot test for an autonomous robot delivery system at Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO).
This marks a potentially crucial step towards incorporating sustainable autonomous delivery vehicles into Dubai’s urban infrastructure, aligning with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. The initiative is part of Dubai’s broader vision to have 25 percent of its transportation system autonomous by 2030.
The three-month pilot phase, set to achieve full operational status by September, will initially cover the Cedre Villas community in Dubai Silicon Oasis. It introduces a new multi-cabin delivery robot, a significant improvement over previous single-cabin models. These robots are designed to make multiple deliveries per trip, potentially reducing carbon emissions by over 500 kilograms during the trial period. They are expected to deliver over 1,000 packages to residents of Cedre Villas. Plans are in place to expand this program to other DIEZ economic zones, including the Dubai Airport Freezone and Dubai CommerCity.
Eng. Muammar Khaled Al Katheeri, Chief Officer of Engineering and Sustainability at DIEZ, highlighted the significance of the project: “Our collaboration with Aramex underscores our commitment to advancing innovative solutions that promote sustainable urban development in Dubai, in line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. By introducing carbon-neutral delivery robots at DSO as part of our Smart City Strategy, we aim to incorporate advanced technology for a greener future. This initiative demonstrates our leadership in fostering a safe and sustainable ecosystem and marks the beginning of a new era in logistics solutions.”
Tarek Abuyaghi, General Manager of Aramex, also commented on the initiative: “We are excited to partner with DIEZ on this groundbreaking project, which enhances our last-mile delivery services. Our commitment to operating smart, efficient, and environmentally friendly services drives us to continually improve and innovate. This initiative reflects our integrated and stakeholder-centric approach. We look forward to offering residents future-focused delivery services and making a positive impact on the environment.”
Residents expecting deliveries from Aramex will be provided with a secure pin code to access their packages, ensuring safety and security. The operation will be supported by a mobile outlet at Cedre Shopping Centre for continuous loading and unloading and monitoring all bot operations.
The delivery robots are equipped with advanced technologies, including a depth camera, multiple human-bot interface elements, and 360-degree video coverage, ensuring optimal performance indoors and outdoors. Their design features a swappable battery pack and eight compartments for different parcel sizes, addressing the logistical challenges of modern urban living.
The success of the pilot, assessed through safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, will determine the project’s future expansion throughout Dubai. This initiative underscores the potential of autonomous delivery trucks to become a key component of urban logistics. Dubai Silicon Oasis, as an innovation and knowledge hub under the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, offers an ideal testing ground for this forward-looking delivery model.
