Maple Leaf Launches First Autonomous Driving Demonstration in Oman, Bringing Chinese Autonomous Driving Technology to the Middle East

Salalah, Oman — On September 7, in a ceremony witnessed by Bater, Executive Vice Governor of Hainan Province, and Khamis bin Mohammed Al-Shamakhi, Undersecretary for Transport at Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), Maple Leaf and MTCIT signed a comprehensive agreement to advance cooperation in autonomous driving. Officials from relevant Hainan authorities and the Chinese Embassy in Oman attended the event.

Earlier the same day at Salalah International Airport, Maple Leaf founder and Chairman Liang Yi joined His Excellency Eng. Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and executives from Oman Airports for a test ride aboard a Maple Leaf autonomous shuttle. The vehicle completed all on-site validation procedures, marking a milestone for the entry of Chinese autonomous driving technology into Oman. The test, led by Maple Leaf and jointly organized with MTCIT and Oman Airports, represents an important official step in Oman’s smart and sustainable mobility journey. In parallel, Future Fund Oman under the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and Temple Water Capital are accelerating Maple Leaf’s Series B financing round, targeted in the tens of millions of US dollars.

Landmark Demonstration at Salalah International Airport

At the airport test site, representatives from multiple Omani authorities experienced the autonomous shuttle first-hand. The trial evaluated key capabilities—sensing and real-time monitoring, route recognition, environmental perception, and obstacle handling—providing a comprehensive check of safe and intelligent operation in real-world conditions. After confirming stable performance and efficient dispatching, His Excellency Al Maawali commended Maple Leaf’s rapid deployment and execution, noting the “China speed” demonstrated from domestic trials and vehicle commissioning to airfreighting the shuttle to Muscat and swiftly initiating on-site testing. This performance helped establish a clear pathway for deeper cooperation.

Hainan as a Launchpad for Global Expansion

The initiative highlights how technology enterprises from the Hainan Free Trade Port can leverage local advantages to expand internationally. Maple Leaf previously received strategic investment from Chengmai, Hainan, as well as policy support from Haikou, using Hainan as a base to grow its new energy vehicle and autonomous technology businesses overseas. The successful validation in Salalah underscores the company’s ability to translate domestic expertise into regional solutions tailored for the Middle East.

Ambitious Timeline for Commercial Operations

His Excellency Al Maawali stated that Oman will fully support Maple Leaf’s participation in smart city initiatives, airport electrification, and broader energy transition projects. He set a near-term goal for Maple Leaf to establish last-mile passenger and logistics networks across Muscat and Salalah within one year. MTCIT has set an official timetable for the company to begin commercial autonomous vehicle operations in the third quarter of 2027.

Under the cooperation plan, Maple Leaf expects to deploy between 30,000 and 50,000 autonomous shuttles and driverless logistics vehicles across Oman over the next five years. The scale of this rollout is intended to accelerate the electrification of transport, enable commercial deployment of autonomous driving, and support Oman’s energy transition agenda.

Supporting Oman Vision 2040 and Net-Zero 2050

The broader collaboration aims to position Oman as a regional benchmark for transport transformation in the Middle East and potentially as the first among the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries to integrate large-scale transport electrification and autonomous mobility. The initiative aligns with Oman Vision 2040, the country’s 2050 net-zero target, and the objectives of the Sustainable Dhofar initiative, combining technology adoption with practical, real-world deployments that can be replicated across the region.

Executive Perspective

Following the successful tests, Maple Leaf Chairman Liang Yi noted that, with investment from OIA and Temple Water Capital progressing and commercial operating licenses advancing, Maple Leaf will use Oman as a regional hub. The company’s goal is to bring China’s autonomous driving expertise to the wider Middle East and establish a scalable, proven model for smart mobility.

What Comes Next

• Pilot services: Expand validated trials into controlled passenger and logistics pilots at airports, industrial parks, and urban corridors in Muscat and Salalah.
• Regulatory pathway: Work with MTCIT and relevant authorities to finalize standards, safety protocols, and operating licenses ahead of the Q3 2027 commercial launch.
• Localized operations: Build local teams for fleet operations, maintenance, safety oversight, and rider support, with tailored training for Omani conditions.
• Infrastructure integration: Coordinate with public and private stakeholders on charging, energy management, and dispatch systems to ensure reliable, cost-effective service.
• Scaled deployment: Phase in autonomous shuttles and logistics vehicles toward the five-year target of 30,000–50,000 units, aligned with demand and readiness.

Together, these steps are designed to deliver practical benefits—safer and more efficient urban mobility, reduced emissions through electrification, and new digital infrastructure—while establishing Oman as a leading regional hub for autonomous transportation.