Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) and autonomous vehicle technology company Oxa have launched the Autonomous Logistics Future Lab in Dubai through a joint venture named SHIFFT, aimed at developing and testing autonomous logistics technologies for commercial deployment.
Established under the Dubai Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Ecosystem, the initiative will serve as a platform for developing, testing and validating autonomous logistics solutions. According to DFF, the lab will focus on integrating autonomous driving technologies with fleet management systems and operational intelligence to support logistics operations across industrial environments.
The first phase will concentrate on autonomous vehicle applications for ports and airports, with the partners targeting the first commercial deployment in Dubai before the end of 2027.
The initiative also supports the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), including the emirate’s ambition to expand trade and strengthen its logistics sector through advanced technologies.
Khalifa Al Qama, Chief of Dubai’s RDI Ecosystem, overseen by Dubai Future Foundation, said: “Through this Lab, we aim to develop new intelligent logistics solutions that create economic opportunities while accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies and their practical applications. The initiative reflects Dubai’s commitment to strengthening its position as a global hub for the future of logistics services by transforming promising technologies into real-world solutions that deliver tangible economic and operational impact.”
Paul Newman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oxa, said: “This joint venture with Dubai Future Foundation will accelerate the development and commercial deployment of Industrial Mobile Autonomy technologies, enabling new levels of efficiency, reliability and safety for operators of industrial vehicle fleets.”
According to DFF, SHIFFT will use configurable autonomous driving software, cloud-based fleet management systems and specialised autonomy hardware that can be integrated with existing industrial vehicles, enabling deployment across logistics environments.
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