Saudi Arabia Launches Future Mobility Sandbox on the Red Sea

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia- April 29, 2025: Saudi Arabia announced the launch of the Future Mobility Sandbox, a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming the Kingdom’s transport and logistics sector. Developed through a collaboration between the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services (MOTLS), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), and the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM), the Sandbox will serve as a 1.56-square-kilometre testbed for cutting-edge innovations in air, land, and sea transport, located on the KAUST campus along the Red Sea.

The Future Mobility Sandbox is designed to promote the development of autonomous, sustainable, and connected mobility solutions within a controlled testing environment. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Vision 2030, focusing on safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable transport systems. By integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, clean energy, and communication systems, the Sandbox will enable trials for autonomous vehicles, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, logistics drones, maritime technologies, and advanced propulsion systems.

In the official press release, His Excellency Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, said, “This is a transformative milestone for Saudi Arabia and the future of global mobility. Through our groundbreaking partnership with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, we are launching the Kingdom’s first integrated transport sandbox—an unprecedented testbed for land, air, and sea innovation. This initiative aims to create a dynamic ecosystem where ideas are tested, solutions are born, and the impossible becomes real. Together, we are charting a new course—one that puts Saudi Arabia at the forefront of sustainable, intelligent, and interconnected transportation.”

The Sandbox is expected to attract prominent multinationals, local and international startups, and government entities, fostering collaboration to drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance road safety while reducing vehicle-related accidents. MOTLS will ensure the initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s transport and logistics priorities, positioning Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for innovation and global investment in mobility solutions.

His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Alahmari, Assistant Minister for Planning and Development, Industry and Mineral Resources, said , “This collaboration marks a new chapter in cross-ministerial efforts to unlock the full potential of Saudi Arabia’s automotive and industrial sectors. The Future Mobility Sandbox will play a critical role in achieving our goals under the National Industrial Strategy by providing manufacturers and suppliers a platform to test, validate, and scale advanced vehicle technologies. It reinforces our ambition to position Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for automotive manufacturing and innovation.”

The launch of the Future Mobility Sandbox emphasizes Saudi Arabia’s commitment to diversifying its economy and advancing sustainable technology industries. By providing a real-world environment for testing next-generation transport solutions, the initiative is ready to accelerate innovation and strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a global leader in smart mobility.