Technology

Riyadh: The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia Transport General Authority (TGA) today launched a trial run of Saudi Arabia’s first autonomous food‑delivery robots at the ROSHN Business Front district in Riyadh. The pilot marks a major step in the country’s push toward smart‑mobility and sustainable urban logistics in line with Vision 2030. The initiative was officially inaugurated by Dr. Rumaih bin Mohammed Al‑Rumaih, Vice Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and acting President of the TGA. The project is being carried out in partnership between Jahez International Company, a leading online food delivery platform, and ROSHN Group, the Public Investment Fund–backed real‑estate developer The TGA on its official X account (@Saudi_TGA), the authority said: https://twitter.com/Saudi_TGA/status/1950594838401011900 The robots are currently operating within the ROSHN Business Front during business hours. Equipped with GPS, multiple sensors, and safety cameras, these robots are designed to navigate sidewalks, avoid obstacles, and deliver meals to offices and designated drop-off points. Each unit is built to withstand the Saudi climate, with cooling systems and user-friendly displays to communicate with nearby pedestrians. According to officials, the robots will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays in the pilot phase. This pilot is part of TGA’s regulatory sandbox program, which allows innovative mobility solutions to be tested in real-world conditions before wider implementation. Jahez is the first company to receive this type of license, marking a new chapter in smart delivery systems. ROSHN Group, which is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), developed the trial through its ROSHNXT innovation platform. The initiative is intended to improve logistics, reduce emissions, and enhance last-mile delivery efficiency in urban areas. Also Read | Saudi Arabia offers free Hajj to 1000 Palestinian Pilgrims Following the initial pilot at ROSHN Business Front, the project is expected to expand into the broader ROSHN Front shopping area and eventually into residential communities. The goal is to integrate autonomous delivery into everyday urban life, offering faster and contactless service to customers. This is not Saudi Arabia’s first venture into autonomous mobility. Earlier, the Kingdom partnered with Uber and Chinese firm WeRide to launch a large-scale trial of self-driving vehicles in Riyadh. Together, these efforts reflect Saudi Arabia’s increasing investment in artificial intelligence and smart infrastructure.