Noon plans to test autonomous vehicle deliveries in UAE last mile
Noon.com is looking into using driverless technologies in its delivery fleet in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and has partnered with Chinese technology company, Neolix, reports Khaleej Times. The company will trial autonomous vehicles to complete its last-mile delivery in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Implementation and Trials
Noon.com is planning to trial autonomous vehicles built by Neoflix over the next few weeks to see if they sufficiently enhance its last-mile delivery in key areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These driverless vans are being customised to suit the region’s weather conditions, and are being integrated with noon’s logistics platform.
As well as being reliable and speedy, driverless vehicle technology claim to remove up to 90 per cent of the cost associated with the last mile of delivery. Regarding the strategic importance of this move, Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Noon.com parent company Emaar, stated: “Noon is very proud to bring driverless delivery vans to streets in our cities. Introducing new technology to the region that will improve the e-commerce experience for customers is something we’re incredibly excited about.”
Regulatory Environment and Future Strategy
The partnership between Noon and Neoflix follows the recent announcement of a new resolution that regulates autonomous vehicle testing in Dubai. This new resolution is part of the first phase of a legislative framework being created to ensure the highest efficiency, reliability, and security of smart mobility.
The UAE is among the world’s top 10 countries that are best prepared for driverless vehicles, according to KPMG’s 2019 Autonomous Vehicles Readiness Index. In terms of long-term goals, the Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy, in particular, aims to make 25 per cent of all transportation autonomous by 2030.
Project Overview and Key Metrics
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Technology Partner | Neolix (Chinese technology company) |
| Trial Locations | Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Cost Efficiency | Up to 90 per cent reduction in last-mile costs |
| Regulatory Goal | 25 per cent autonomous transportation by 2030 |
| Global Readiness | UAE ranked in the top 10 countries (KPMG 2019) |
Mohamed Alabbar added: “We look forward to bringing many such innovations over the next few months. We are a hungry, talented and ambitious nation. I hope it will inspire our tech-driven youth to dream big and to achieve those dreams because everything is possible here.”
