Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has overseen the launch of a pilot programme for autonomous trucks operating within the emirate’s logistics sector — the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The project is being carried out in partnership with autonomous vehicle systems developer Autotech and AD Ports Group, and is operating within Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD).
The news comes as the ITC also announces an autonomous car trial with Tesla.
AI systems adapted to local conditions
During 2025, Autotech worked under ITC supervision to adapt artificial intelligence (AI)-based autonomous driving systems to local road requirements and logistics transport needs. Pilot trips have been conducted along dedicated routes within KEZAD, in accordance with approved regulatory frameworks and operational standards.
The project focuses on evaluating autonomous truck operations within a defined industrial and logistics environment, assessing the technology’s readiness for deployment in real-world conditions and evaluating safety and operational performance.
“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,” says Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, acting director general of the Integrated Transport Centre.
Path to commercial deployment
The initiative forms part of ITC’s broader efforts to develop the smart and autonomous mobility ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, and to prepare regulatory frameworks for innovative solutions serving the supply chain and logistics sector. The stated aim is to improve freight transport efficiency and operational performance across economic and industrial zones, ahead of a transition to commercial deployment of autonomous logistics services.
“This project represents an important regulatory milestone in advancing the smart mobility ecosystem in the emirate of Abu Dhabi,” says AlGhfeli. “It reflects the Centre’s direction towards expanding the application of autonomous systems to include freight and logistics transport, alongside passenger transport.”
He adds that the initiative also supports Abu Dhabi’s position as a regional hub for smart mobility adoption, in line with the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031.
ITC says it will continue to collaborate with local and international partners to enable further pilot projects in smart mobility, balancing technological advancement with safety and sustainability requirements.
