News

Plans Underway For Massive Middle East Autonomous Freight Network

DP World and Einride will develop the largest electric, autonomous freight mobility operation in the region at Jebel Ali Port.

Published

6 months ago

May 14, 2024

Nour Nasir

plans underway for massive middle east autonomous freight network

Dubai Media Office

Dubai-based logistics company DP World has joined forces with Einride, a leader in freight mobility, to electrify container movements at Jebel Ali Port. The initiative will enhance efficiency and eco-friendliness at the world’s 10th busiest sea logistics hub. The groundbreaking plans include the largest deployment of electric, autonomous freight mobility across the Middle East, revolutionizing regional freight transportation.

The collaboration will begin in late 2024 and aims to ramp up swiftly to accommodate around 1,600 container movements daily. A fleet of 100 interconnected electric trucks will facilitate the expansion, overseen by Einride Saga, the company’s digital platform engineered to optimize electric and autonomous freight operations. A pilot for the autonomous vehicles is scheduled for rollout in 2025.

dp world and einride partnership

At full operational capacity, the venture will reduce carbon dioxide emissions annually by up to 14,600 tonnes and nitrogen oxides by 158 tonnes.

“DP World is committed to making trade smarter, faster, and more sustainable, and our new partnership with Einride aligns perfectly with our vision,” explained Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC. “We have already made significant progress in electrifying and automating our terminals at Jebel Ali Port, and by leveraging Einride’s cutting-edge technology, we can take that to the next level,” he added.

Also Read: Joby To Establish All-Electric Air Taxi Ecosystem Across The UAE

Robert Falck, CEO and Founder of Einride, added: “Our collaboration underscores a shared dedication to sustainability and innovation, merging Einride’s expertise in electrification and autonomous technology with DP World’s global logistics leadership […] This collaboration showcases the effectiveness of combining visionary ideals with decisive action, paving the way for a more resilient future”.

The partnership represents a cornerstone of Einride’s larger strategy with the UAE Government, helping to accelerate the transition to sustainable shipping practices. Einride’s ecosystem, featuring electric and autonomous vehicles, charging infrastructure, and cutting-edge technology, will be deployed extensively across the Falcon Rise grid, heralding a greener, more efficient freight-shipping future.

News

Popcorn AI Raises $500,000 For “Conversational eCommerce”

The firm’s AI platform uses specialized chatbots to handle entire eCommerce journeys, from recommending products to seamless payments.

Published

6 days ago

November 14, 2024

Nour Nasir

Popcorn AI

Dubai-based Popcorn AI has announced the closure of a pre-seed funding round that raised $500,000 for its revolutionary AI platform. The investment, led by Spring Studios with the backing of Salica Investments, Al Waha Fund of Funds, and prominent angel investors from Saudi Arabia, represents a key step forward in reshaping customer-business interactions using the power of conversational AI.

Unlike traditional chatbot systems, Popcorn AI’s platform is designed to redefine eCommerce by creating highly intelligent sales agents that handle entire customer journeys, from personalized product recommendations right through to seamless payment acceptance — all through a conversational experience.

The clever idea was recently tested to great success when one of Popcorn AI’s chatbot agents closed a $400,000 real estate transaction, handling everything from the first inquiry to the final sale. Early adopters have reported a massive 90% reduction in customer acquisition costs, along with a highly impressive 20% improvement in conversion rates, highlighting the platform’s potential to transform customer engagement across dozens of industries.

Josh Rodger, Principal at the Spring Studios fund, expressed enthusiasm for the project, saying, “We are proud to support Popcorn AI’s mission to reshape how businesses connect with their customers. Their innovative approach to conversational commerce has the potential to revolutionize industries and redefine the way customers experience digital transactions”.

Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East

Meanwhile, Popcorn AI founder and CEO Yousef Al Arif declared: “The future of commerce is conversational,” adding, “Today’s consumers want shopping experiences that are instant, personalized, and effortless. We’re not building just another chatbot; we’re crafting intelligent commerce agents that understand context, recall customer preferences, and guide users through the entire shopping process, much like an expert salesperson would”.

Building upon a decade of experience scaling eCommerce and marketplace platforms across the MENA region, Al Arif has now achieved huge success with Popcorn AI, positioning the product at the cutting edge of AI-powered eCommerce. The platform has also made significant impacts in sectors such as real estate, and hospitality, signaling that conversational commerce is emerging as a powerful new model for digital businesses.