Dubai South announces first-stage autonomous vehicle trials

Dubai South, the largest single-urban master development focusing on aviation, logistics, and real estate, announced the successful completion of the first stage of the UAE's autonomous vehicle trials in partnership with Evocargo.

The trials were carried out on a set route in a closed area of the Dubai South Logistics District.

During the trials, Evocargo checked and validated the hardware, software, and reliability of its unmanned electric truck, the Evocargo N1, for future service in the Logistics District.

Autonomous navigation on a predefined route was tested with special emphasis on safety in mixed traffic scenarios involving interaction with other participants like automobiles, trucks, and pedestrians. The tests measured the success of the Evocargo N1 in object detection, accident prevention, collision avoidance with moving obstacles, and emergency stops.

The truck's autopilot system was tested in a full range of manoeuvers  -parking, reverse parking, turning, and reverse turning. The control centre's functionality - route management, remote monitoring, and control - was also tested. No failures or potentially hazardous incidents were reported by any parties during the series of tests.

Dubai South and Evocargo agreed to carry out the UAE's first autonomous electric vehicle trials in a memorandum of understanding signed in December 2022.