Aramex, the largest courier company in the Middle East, has successfully tested its drone and roadside bot delivery service in Dubai as part of its exploration into emerging delivery technologies. The initiative is part of the company’s future delivery program to improve last-mile logistics using smart shipping solutions, aiming to facilitate quicker, cost-effective, and sustainable deliveries.
The tests were conducted in partnership with Barq EV, a drone delivery service provider in the UAE, and Kiwibot, a delivery robotics firm based in Colombia. The Rochester Institute of Technology supported the initial tests with the backing of Dubai’s Civil Aviation Authority, Roads and Transport Authority, Silicon Oasis Authority, Future Foundation, and Smart City.
Aramex believes this initiative will generate additional value for customers by delivering packages in a faster, safer, and greener way. According to Alaa Saoudi, the company’s COO for express, it will also enable Aramex to contribute further to the UAE’s sustainability goals by transitioning its fleet to emission-free vehicles and attaining carbon neutrality by 2030. The company intends to expand this service to more customers across the Middle East and Africa region. However, no specific markets or timeline were provided.
Last October, Aramex conducted drone delivery testing in Oman in partnership with UVL Robotics, a US-based firm. The drones deployed in Dubai are equipped with multidirectional sensors and a fleet management system that enables high accuracy across order placements, dispatch management, drone flight routing, and deliveries.
