In pictures: UAE ‘first’ as unmanned robo-trucks take to factory roads

Self-driving electric trucks are now on the move in a UAE industrial zone, the result of a first-of-its-kind partnership between autonomous vehicle developer Evocargo and RAK Ceramics.

The trucks, known as the Evocargo N1, are now fully integrated into RAK Ceramics’ logistics operations in the Al Jazeera Al Hamra industrial zone, where they ferry products between key facilities.

Evocargo says the vehicles can navigate dynamic environments in real time, detecting and interpreting road signs, lane markings, pedestrian crossings and other infrastructure features. Each truck offers a range of up to 200km on a single charge.

The N1 is powered by what the company calls a “fifth-generation autopilot system” and an AI-driven multi-sensor perception platform, backed by a four-layer safety framework to ensure data accuracy and operational reliability.

Navigation relies on LIDARs, sonars and cameras, all feeding into an onboard computing unit that processes sensor and navigation data in real time, continuously adapting to changing road conditions. The system runs non-stop, pausing only for charging and simultaneous loading or unloading.

“Safety is our top priority,” said Shaheem Musthafa, CEO of Evocargo Autonomous Logistic Services UAE, speaking to Gulf Business.

“We achieve it through a combination of advanced technology and continuous monitoring. Trucks operate fully autonomously from start to finish, with all telemetry and performance data constantly feeding into our remote Fleet Monitoring Centre.”

The project is designed with scalability in mind. “Right now, one operator in the centre oversees ten trucks, but our future goal is for a single operator to manage 100 vehicles simultaneously,” Musthafa explained. “In the event of a non-standard situation, the operator can remotely stop a vehicle. The autopilot is protected by a four-layer independent safety system, ensuring maximum reliability.”

More broadly, the rollout signals that autonomous, zero-emission transport is no longer a futuristic concept but a practical solution for daily commercial operations. “Our robots-as-a-service model makes this technology accessible and scalable,” Musthafa added. “It means businesses can use autonomous vehicles on a subscription basis, without the need for upfront capital investment.”

For RAK Ceramics, the partnership aligns with its sustainability agenda. Integrating autonomous electric trucks into its logistics network demonstrates a commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility. The company says the initiative enhances operational performance and efficiency while reducing its carbon footprint. It also supports the UAE’s wider sustainable development vision, showing how industry and sustainability can advance hand in hand.

UAE’s wider autonomous vehicle push

The launch of Evocargo’s self-driving trucks is part of a growing wave of autonomous and electric mobility projects across the UAE.

In Abu Dhabi, driverless delivery bots are being trialled in Masdar City under a programme led by the Integrated Transport Centre, while WeRide has launched autonomous taxi pilots in Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi — including a partnership with Uber to deploy robotaxis on public roads. Dubai, meanwhile, recently unveiled a personal Level-4 “robocar” designed for individual ownership, highlighting how autonomous technology is expanding beyond logistics and public transport into consumer applications.

Autonomous vehicles can currently operate on UAE roads only under strict regulatory conditions and usually as part of controlled trials.

Federal legislation permits their use if operators secure the necessary approvals from authorities such as Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) or Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre (ITC). For now, most deployments are limited to designated zones — including industrial areas, smart city districts and logistics hubs — and often require remote monitoring or a safety driver during the pilot phase.

However, the UAE is steadily expanding this framework as part of its national mobility strategy, which aims for 25 per cent of all journeys in Dubai to be autonomous by 2030. As regulations evolve, the use of self-driving vehicles is expected to extend beyond pilot projects to include public transport, delivery fleets and fully driverless taxis on the nation’s roads.