Chinese autonomous driving company QCraft is preparing to enter the Saudi and wider Middle East market, viewing the Kingdom as a key hub for its next phase of global growth, according to statements reported by Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper.
The firm, led by founder and CEO James Yu, specializes in advanced self-driving technologies. Its first formal appearance in the region took place at the Global CommoMotion Summit 2025 in Riyadh, an event focused on electric vehicles, autonomous mobility, artificial intelligence in transport, hydrogen and alternative fuels, and the future of logistics.
James Yu described Saudi Arabia as a large, high-potential market with strong demand for innovative transport solutions. He said the company plans to boost investment and support local mobility through safer, more efficient systems that rely on clean energy in logistics services, according to Al-Eqtisadiah.
QCraft’s participation in the Riyadh summit coincides with the Kingdom’s major infrastructure projects, including the Riyadh Metro and ongoing trials of autonomous vehicles on city streets. Yu noted that the company intends to launch pilot and investment projects in Saudi Arabia once market assessments are complete.
According to Al-Eqtisadiah, QCraft’s Level 2 autonomous driving products have been installed in around 1 million vehicles worldwide, while its more advanced Level 4 solutions are already deployed in several cities, including locations in Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Looking ahead, QCraft plans a broader expansion across the Middle East. Yu said the company has introduced its RoboBus autonomous buses and RoboVan delivery vehicles to the region and is seeking partnerships to integrate these technologies into daily services.
The company’s strategy centers on building an autonomous driving network that can raise logistics efficiency while improving safety and environmental performance. This aligns with the themes of the CommoMotion Summit, which gathers public and private stakeholders from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North America, and the Global South to discuss the transformation of urban mobility and multimodal transport.
Saudi Arabia’s autonomous transport agenda
Saudi Arabia is simultaneously advancing its own autonomous transport agenda. The Kingdom has launched an initial implementation phase for self-driving vehicles as part of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, aiming to establish a smart, safe and sustainable mobility system powered by artificial intelligence.
In this early phase, autonomous vehicles are being tested in real operating conditions at King Khalid International Airport and selected locations in Riyadh, including key highways and central city destinations. His Excellency Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh Al-Jasser has stated that this rollout reflects an ambitious drive to build an integrated transport ecosystem that supports economic growth and enhances quality of life.
Together, QCraft’s planned entry and Saudi Arabia’s ongoing initiatives signal a rapid shift in the region’s mobility landscape, positioning the Kingdom as a leading testbed for autonomous and clean transport technologies.
