Dubai South and Evocargo have successfully completed the first stage of their UAE autonomous vehicle trials, validating the Evocargo N1 unmanned electric truck in the Dubai South Logistics District — a pivotal step toward driverless freight transport in the region.
Evocargo N1 Trials at Dubai South Logistics District
The trials took place inside a designated closed area within the Dubai South Logistics District, the UAE's largest single-urban master-development specialising in aviation, logistics, and real estate. The testing programme evaluated the Evocargo N1's hardware, software, and service readiness for future commercial deployment in the district.
Autonomous navigation on a predefined route was tested with particular focus on safety in mixed-traffic scenarios, covering interactions with vehicles, trucks, and pedestrians. Tests measured the truck's performance on object detection, accident prevention, collision avoidance with moving obstacles, and emergency stops. The autopilot system was also assessed across a full range of manoeuvres — parking, reverse parking, turning, and reverse turning — as well as the performance of the control centre's route management and remote-control functions. No failures or potentially hazardous incidents were recorded throughout.
Phase 2: Freight Transportation in Mixed Traffic
In the second stage of the trials, the Evocargo N1 platform carried out freight transportation tasks on a standard route in a closed area. The tests confirmed the vehicle's ability to perform effectively in mixed-traffic conditions, with comprehensive validation reports prepared following the runs.
What the CEOs Said
Mohsen Ahmad, CEO of the Logistics District at Dubai South, said the company is committed to actively contributing to Dubai's goal of becoming the world's foremost logistics hub. He noted that self-driving vehicles will transform the sector by boosting productivity and reducing environmental impact, creating the foundation for a greener and more technologically advanced transport system.
Ahmed Al-Ansi, CEO of Evocargo Autonomous Logistic Services, said he is pleased with the trial outcomes, which demonstrate the company's objective of delivering reliable and effective logistics services in the region. He added that the trials serve a strategic purpose — attracting new customers and investment as GCC countries position themselves as adopters of cutting-edge technology.
UAE Autonomous Transport Vision 2030
The Dubai South–Evocargo partnership traces back to a memorandum of understanding signed in December 2022, when the UAE's first autonomous vehicle tests using electric cars were launched. The programme aligns with Dubai's autonomous transport strategy, which targets 25% of all trips in the emirate to be self-driving by 2030 — a shift projected to generate AED 22 billion annually across multiple sectors of the economy.
With Phase 1 complete and Phase 2 validated, Dubai South Logistics District is emerging as a leading testbed for autonomous logistics in the UAE and across the GCC.
