Aramex, a global logistics and transportation provider, has announced the successful testing of drone and roadside bot deliveries in Dubai.
The tests are part of the company’s “Future Delivery Program” designed to improve last-mile logistics using smart shipping solutions for faster, more sustainable, and cost-effective deliveries.
The expansion of our Future Delivery Program in the UAE “enables Aramex to further contribute to UAE’s sustainability ambitions as we embark on our mission to transition our fleet to emission-free vehicles and achieve our climate pledge to reach Carbon neutrality by 2030. We are excited about the next chapter of the program and further scale this service to reach more customers,” Alaa Saoudi, Chief Operating Officer – Express at Aramex said.
The tests were conducted at the Rochester Institute of Technology in partnership with BARQ EV, a commercial drone delivery service provider, and Kiwibot, a Colombian delivery robotics company, Aramex said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, Dubai Future Foundation, and Dubai Smart City provided support for the tests.
BARQ EV’s drone delivery technology, equipped with multidirectional sensors and a reliable fleet management system, was used for the tests.
The drones are capable of operating multiple and continuous flights at long-range distances and in various environments.
Additionally, Kiwibot’s self-driving ground delivery vehicles use high-tech sensors, cameras, radars, and AI to navigate through surroundings and obstacles, as well as advanced GPS navigation to establish multiple routes and change course depending on delays or obstacles.
“In addition to the autonomous delivery vehicles, we have also rolled out mobile outlet trucks that allow us to operate drones and bots, as well as offer pickup and drop-off points at any location close to our customers. We look forward to implementing drone and bot deliveries in the UAE and beyond as we progress our sustainability plans to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to the global effort to combat climate change,” Angad Singh, Global Director – Innovation of Aramex said.
This initiative follows Aramex’s successful test of autonomous drone delivery in Muscat, Oman, and the company intends to expand its drone and robot delivery testing across the Middle East and Africa region and other core markets where it operates.
