Dubai Future Foundation, Oxa launch Autonomous Logistics Future Lab

Dubai: Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), in partnership with global autonomous vehicle technology company Oxa, has launched the Autonomous Logistics Future Lab in Dubai through a joint venture named SHIFFT. The initiative is designed to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation autonomous logistics solutions, further strengthening Dubai's position as a global hub for intelligent logistics services. Launched under the Dubai Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Ecosystem, SHIFFT will serve as a platform for the development, testing and validation of advanced autonomous logistics technologies. The venture aims to transform emerging innovations into commercially deployable solutions while creating new opportunities to enhance productivity, operational resilience and economic value across logistics sectors. The joint venture is expected to support the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), including the objective of doubling Dubai's foreign trade by 2033. SHIFFT will combine autonomous driving technologies with worksite data collection, analysis and operational intelligence through an integrated logistics platform, enabling end-to-end deployment across industrial environments. The first phase of the initiative will focus on developing and deploying autonomous vehicle solutions for ports and airports, with the partners aiming to launch the first commercial deployment in Dubai before the end of 2027. 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," he added. Paul Newman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oxa, said the partnership would accelerate the development and commercial deployment of industrial mobile autonomy technologies. "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," he said. SHIFFT will utilise configurable autonomous driving software, cloud-based fleet management systems and specialised autonomy hardware designed to integrate with existing industrial vehicles and equipment, enabling scalable deployment across logistics environments. The Dubai RDI Ecosystem, established under the directives of Hi Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation, serves as the umbrella framework for Dubai's research, development and innovation initiatives. The ecosystem supports government and private sector organisations in developing advanced technology-driven solutions and aims to strengthen Dubai's position as a regional hub for innovation, research and future industries.