Abu Dhabi issues first licence plate for self-driving delivery vehicle
By 2040, a quarter of all trips to use smart mobility
ABU DHABI has taken a landmark step in its smart mobility strategy with the launch of its first pilot programme for autonomous delivery vehicles.
The initiative, under the supervision of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC) and in partnership with Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), has also seen the emirate issue its first official licence plate for a self-driving delivery vehicle.
The programme is being rolled out by the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility) in collaboration with technology company K2 and logistics provider EMX, the logistics arm of 7X.
Pilot operations in Masdar City
The trial operation is currently underway in Masdar City, with vehicles developed by K2 subsidiary Autogo. These autonomous delivery units are equipped with advanced AI and smart mobility systems, enabling them to navigate urban streets and deliver packages efficiently without human input. The operation is a key step towards scaling up autonomous logistics solutions across Abu Dhabi in the near future.
تماشياً مع رؤية أبوظبي الاستراتيجية التي تهدف إلى اعتماد 25% من جميع الرحلات على وسائل النقل الذكية بحلول 2040، التشغيل التجريبي الأول لمركبات توصيل ذاتية القيادة، الذي أطلقه مركز النقل المتكامل (أبوظبي للتنقل)، يدعم الاستدامة والابتكار في منظومة النقل في الإمارة.#AutonomousAD pic.twitter.com/IMLVeZZD7h
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) September 15, 2025
Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of Abu Dhabi Mobility, said the pilot represents a pivotal milestone in the emirate’s journey towards an innovative, sustainable transport system. He added that the project is more than a technical trial, describing it as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions, ease congestion and improve urban living standards through smart logistics.
Strategic vision for 2040
Abu Dhabi’s broader mobility strategy aims for 25 per cent of all trips in the emirate to be powered by smart transport solutions by 2040. The launch of autonomous delivery vehicles builds on earlier achievements such as the introduction of self-driving taxis in selected areas of the city. By embedding such projects into the regulatory framework, authorities are reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a hub for global smart transport innovation.
Under the supervision of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, @ad_mobility, an affiliate of @AbuDhabiDMT, has launched Abu Dhabi’s first pilot for autonomous delivery vehicles, and issued the first self-driving delivery vehicle licence plate in the emirate. pic.twitter.com/QFlaxZOFDH
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) September 15, 2025
Tariq Al Wahedi, Group CEO of 7X, said EMX is committed to advancing next-generation logistics through this partnership. He emphasised that integrating self-driving vehicles into daily operations will make logistics faster, safer, more adaptable and more sustainable, aligned with the UAE’s wider digital transformation and green economy goals.
Next phase of expansion
Following the pilot phase in Masdar City, Autogo plans to expand operations beyond the innovation hub into wider public areas across Abu Dhabi. Full-scale commercial deployment is expected in the coming months, with new stakeholders set to join the programme.
The initiative is also closely tied to the emirate’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster, which seeks to localise the production of intelligent mobility systems and create a supportive ecosystem for advanced transport solutions. With this milestone, Abu Dhabi is strengthening its position at the forefront of global autonomous mobility while advancing sustainability objectives.