Saudi Arabia Launches Trial For First Autonomous Electric Vehicle ‘Dhahaina’

April 5, 2023, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: In a bid to embrace contemporary transportation systems and promote sustainable living, the Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistics, Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih, has launched a trial phase of a new autonomous vehicle (AV) called Dhahaina. The launch event was aimed at raising awareness and increasing acceptance of AV technology in society, marking the first step towards the development of AV legislation regulations and supporting systems.

The AV initiative is in line with the Ministry's efforts to facilitate advanced technologies in the transportation and logistics industry and achieve the objectives set out in the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. The strategy aims to provide smart mobility solutions and anticipate future market development, reducing transport related accidents and fatalities, improving mobility, and minimising the impact of the transportation sector on the environment.

ROSHN group, a leading real estate developer powered by the Public Investment Fund, launched this initiative at the Riyadh Business Front. They have adopted a unique strategy to incorporate modern technology into the communities that they are building across the kingdom. ROSHN is committed to promoting sustainablity by offering pedestrian free streets and offering environment friendly modes of transportation for commuting within its communities.

Oussama Kabbani, the Group Chief Development Officer at ROSHN Group, expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, stating, "The 'Dhahaina' initiative is a significant leap in the technical development of transportation in the Kingdom. This trial aligns with ROSHN's commitment to humanising the civil experience and adapting technology to serve people within the high-quality real estate environments of our communities across the Kingdom."

Dr. Al-Rumaih, Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistics Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia, emphasised that these trials align with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services' ongoing efforts to establish a national regulatory framework for AVs in collaboration with global entities.The main aim is to establish appropriate regulatory frameworks and to unify all the efforts enabling autonomous vehicles.

The launch of the 'Dhahaina' trial marks an important step towards modernising the transportation sector in Saudi Arabia, promoting sustainable living  and achieving the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. The Ministry's efforts to establish appropriate regulatory frameworks for AVs will undoubtedly encourage innovation, attract investors, and enhance user safety, simplifying procedures and improving the transportation experience for all.