The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has announced the launch of a pilot programme for autonomous freight trucks, in partnership with global company Autotech, a specialist in developing autonomous vehicle systems. 

The project is a first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa in the operation of autonomous trucks for logistics and freight transport purposes, reflecting the expansion of autonomous systems applications across various modes of transport. It is being implemented within Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD in co-ordination with AD Ports Group.

Pilot trips were conducted along dedicated routes within KEZAD, in accordance with approved regulatory frameworks and operational standards. 

During 2025, the developer, under the ITC’s supervision, worked on adapting artificial intelligence-based autonomous driving systems to local road requirements and logistics transport needs, ensuring safe and seamless operations in line with the highest safety and operational efficiency standards, and assessing the technology’s readiness for deployment in a real-world environment, said the statement.

This project forms part of the Integrated Transport Centre’s efforts to support the smart and autonomous mobility ecosystem in the emirate and enhance the readiness of regulatory frameworks to adopt innovative solutions that serve the supply chain and logistics sector. 

It contributes to improving freight transport efficiency and enhancing operational performance across economic and industrial zones, in preparation for the transition to the commercial deployment of autonomous logistics services.

On the pilot project, Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the ITC, 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 stated.

AlGhfeli said 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.

"The ITC remains committed to continuing collaboration with local and international partners to enable high-quality pilot projects in smart mobility, support responsible innovation that balances technological advancement with safety and sustainability requirements, and serve the emirate’s economic and societal needs in both the near and long term," he added.-TradeArabia News Service