RAK deploys UAE"s first commercial self-driving trucks
EvoCargo and RAK Ceramics launch fleet of self-driving electric trucks
#UAE #AVs – The UAE’s first commercial fleet of self-driving electric trucks has been launched in Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Hamra Industrial Zone. The new self-driving truck fleet is the result of a partnership between Moscow-headquartered autonomous transport developer Evocargo and multinational ceramics and sanitary ware manufacturer RAK Ceramics. The Evocargo N1 trucks will transport cargo between the company’s different operations in the Al Hamra Industrial Zone. Each vehicle offers a two-tonne lifting capacity, accommodates up to six EUR-pallets, operates at speeds of 25 kilometres per hour and provides a range of up to 200 kilometres per charge.
SO WHAT? – The autonomous cargo vehicle deployment comes at a time when Ras Al Khaimah government has approved multiple plans to enable smart mobility in the emirate. The autonomous cargo transport platform is the first-of-its-kind in the UAE, and one of only a few autonomous vehicle deployments in industrial facilities across the country. Whilst supporting RAK Ceramics’ environmental, social and governance commitments through zero-emission logistics operations, the deployment will serve as a case study for EvoCargo’s potential customers across the UAE and wider region.
Here are some key details about the new fleet:
Moscow-headquartered autonomous transport developer Evocargo and multinational ceramics and sanitary ware manufacturer RAK Ceramics have announced the UAE’s first commercial fleet of self-driving electric trucks based in Al Hamra Industrial Zone, Ras Al Khaimah.
Evocargo N1 trucks will transport cargo between RAK Ceramics’ different operations in the Al Hamra Industrial Zone.
Evocargo operates a robots-as-a-Service business model offering businesses subscription-based access to autonomous vehicles without upfront capital costs, making the technology accessible and scalable for commercial logistics operations.
The Evocargo N1 features a fifth-generation autopilot system and an AI-powered multi-sensor perception system.
Vehicles navigate using LIDARs, sonars and cameras with a computing unit processing real-time sensor and navigation data to adapt instantly to road conditions. Units are able to operate continuously except during charging and simultaneous loading or unloading operations.
A four-layer safety framework ensures high data accuracy and operational reliability in commercial environments. The vehicles use computer vision of the space around the vehicle, together with an automatic diagnostic system, a remote-stop system and a standby pneumatic braking system, providing multiple redundancies for operational safety.
Charging requirements for Evo N1’s range from 40 minutes to six hours for a full day’s operation depending on the outlet. Meanwhile, the electric vehicles significantly reduce harmful emissions compared to conventional diesel trucks.
The technology integration into RAK Ceramics operations strengthens the company’s environmental, social and governance commitments whilst reflecting the UAE’s broader drive to incorporate environmentally responsible practices into industrial growth stages.
Evocargo holds dozens protected inventions and technologies with patents covering algorithms for visual positioning, automatic mapping, calibration and integration of sensors and cameras, methods for selecting safety speeds and parameters for dynamic models.
ZOOM OUT – Ras Al Khaimah is emerging as a new testing ground for advanced mobility technologies, with multiple deployments announced in recent weeks as the emirate seeks to modernise transport infrastructure and compete with Abu Dhabi and Dubai. In October, Chinese autonomous driving company WeRide announced robotaxi and robobus pilots in partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA). While last month, RAKTA signed a memorandum of understanding with California-based Joby Aviation and UK infrastructure developer Skyports Infrastructure to launch electric air taxi services in the emirate by 2027. These initiatives align with Ras Al Khaimah’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2030.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
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