Riyadh’s ROSHN Front Business Area has just become home to a fleet of autonomous food delivery robots. This pilot initiative is the result of a partnership between ROSHN Group and Saudi-based delivery app Jahez. The launch marks a shift in how urban areas in the Gulf may soon handle last-mile logistics—fast, smart, and emission-free.
The robots are currently operating within a contained business environment, designed to cater to working professionals and nearby restaurants. The move is in line with the Kingdom’s larger mobility vision, backed by the Transport General Authority, aiming to create cleaner, more efficient transport networks in Saudi cities.
Inside the rollout: how these robots function
Each robot in the pilot is a compact, self-driving unit equipped with an advanced suite of over 20 sensors and six cameras. These tools allow them to safely navigate their environment without constant human oversight. What sets them apart?
- Integrated GPS navigation for real-time route tracking
- Cooling systems built specifically for the Gulf climate
- AI speech prompts like “Hello” or “I need help” to interact with pedestrians
- Suspension systems to handle rough surfaces
The service runs between 9am and 5pm on weekdays, picking up food orders from restaurants and delivering them within the ROSHN Front’s working zone. The robots can detect obstacles, reroute themselves as needed, and even pause if a path becomes crowded.
Beyond speed
These delivery robots aren’t just about faster food drop-offs. They’re part of a broader shift towards sustainability. By reducing the need for fuel-powered delivery vehicles, this model supports Saudi Arabia’s efforts to cut down on carbon emissions and improve air quality in dense urban spaces.
The design of this pilot project—closed-loop delivery within a defined, pedestrian-friendly area—makes it scalable. If successful, it could be expanded across more developments under ROSHN and beyond. It’s a solution that works well within mixed-use communities, business parks, and even future smart city districts.
Dubai seems to be prepared
Dubai has long been at the forefront of tech innovation in the region. From autonomous taxis to robotic security units, the city continues to lead in applying AI-driven solutions across public life. The rollout in Riyadh offers an efficient, low-risk blueprint for cities like Dubai to explore similar delivery services—especially in environments like:
- Gated residential zones
- Freezone business parks
- University campuses
- Smart logistics hubs
With its infrastructure and regulatory frameworks already built around digital transformation, Dubai is well-positioned to experiment with—or fasttrack—the integration of autonomous delivery services.
Part of a larger regional movement
The robot delivery pilot follows a string of mobility advancements in Saudi Arabia, including trials of self-driving taxis at major transport points such as King Khalid International Airport and key university campuses. The introduction of 13 robotaxi pickup and drop-off spots shows the Kingdom’s long-term commitment to autonomous transport.
Across the GCC, there’s a visible shift towards tech-first infrastructure. These new rollouts indicate how countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are not only responding to global innovation trends—they’re setting them.
With the rise of e-commerce, delivery demands have grown significantly. But with that growth comes traffic congestion, emissions, and labour costs. Autonomous delivery offers a way to address those challenges—especially in master-planned zones.
If Riyadh’s pilot proves successful, it won’t be surprising to see similar systems emerge in:
- Dubai’s Expo City
- Sharjah Research Technology Park
- Masdar City in Abu Dhabi
- Or even in logistics-heavy areas like Dubai South
These places already support high-tech infrastructure, and autonomous delivery systems could slot in seamlessly.
This pilot launch is more than a test run—it’s a clear signal of where cities in the Gulf are heading. From smart traffic systems to intelligent last-mile delivery, urban environments are evolving rapidly. With Saudi Arabia making the first move on delivery robots, the rest of the region, especially Dubai, may soon follow with their innovative twists.
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