Picture and press release: Dubai Media Office
Dubai South has announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Evocargo for the launch of the UAE’s first autonomous vehicle trials for cargo at the master development Logistics district. This is in line with Dubai’s aim to become the world’s first smart mobility hub.
The trial aims to see Evocharge’s unmanned electric logistics vehicle, EVO. 1, navigate Dubai South’s Logistics District from December until February 2023.
The main focus of the trial is to enable Evocargo to modify and redesign EVO. 1 specifically for the MENA region. A remote operator will be stationed on-site in the Control Centre to manage the platform during the trial period.
According to the Dubai Media Office press release, the centre will include a software suite to monitor the EVO. 1’s operations, check the serviceability of the sensors, and identify any errors.
Mohsen Ahmad, CEO of the Logistics District- Dubai South said: “We are delighted to enter into a strategic agreement with Evocargo to launch the UAE’s first autonomous trials, setting new global benchmarks and consolidating the leadership status of the country’s logistics sector. Besides improving operational efficiency, our partnership will help scale supply chain operations and achieve sustainability. At the Logistics District, we are mandated to support the industry and accelerate the UAE’s rapidly advancing logistics sector.”
Mohsen Ahmad, CEO of the Logistics District – Dubai South, and Andrey Bolshakov, Founding CEO, Evocargo, attended the MoU signing ceremony. Dubai South is the emirate’s largest single-urban master development focusing on aviation, logistics and real estate. The Dubai-headquartered Evocargo is a logistics service provider that develops and provides electric autonomous transportation platforms.
Andrey Bolshakov said: “This is Evocargo’s first venture into autonomous vehicles in such a global multimodal logistics platform. This trial is a significant milestone for the company as it unlocks opportunities to expand our products in the strategic Middle Eastern and Asian markets.”
The press release stated that unlike other cities and countries’ initiatives that focus solely on enabling self-driving private vehicles, Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy is multimodal and encompasses targeting all seven modes of the public transport fleet, including metro, tram, bus, taxi, marine transport, cable cars and shuttle.
When fully implemented, the strategy hopes to reduce transportation costs by 44% or Dh900 million, saving Dh1.5 billion through the reduction of environmental pollution and Dh18 billion through raising the efficiency of the transport sector by 20%.
