Saudi startup Nero has started operating autonomous delivery vehicles in Riyadh’s Al-Falah district after securing the required permits and regulatory approvals.
The permit allows Nero to run autonomous delivery vehicles in public residential neighborhoods. The company said it is the first permit of its kind granted to a Saudi company, marking a move from restricted testing environments to live operations.
Deploying in a residential area will test the technology under more complex conditions, including pedestrian movement, other vehicles, changing road conditions and multiple delivery points. These factors are particularly relevant to last-mile delivery, which connects retailers or distribution centers with end customers.
Nero has not disclosed how many vehicles are covered by the permit or how much of Al-Falah is currently served. It also has not shared a timeline for expanding to other neighborhoods or cities.
The launch follows Saudi Arabia’s autonomous delivery vehicle trials in 2025, when the Transport General Authority tested the technology in designated environments and on real delivery routes.
Founded in late 2025 by Mohamed Al-Baiti and Muhannad Al-Qurashi, Nero is developing its delivery model in cooperation with Saudi regulatory and legislative authorities, according to the company.
Source: EntArabi
