In a landmark technological achievement, Saudi Arabia’s iconic fast-food brand AlBaik, in collaboration with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), successfully executed the first drone meal delivery in the Kingdom.
The meal was delivered to His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, Governor of Jeddah, during his visit to KAUST campus.
The achievement is part of a strategic partnership to launch the e-AlBaik Lab for Smart Food Tech Innovation, focusing on automated ordering solutions, smart delivery systems, and advancing sustainability within the food sector.
The signing ceremony was attended by His Highness Prince Saud bin Jalawi, H.E. Saleh Al-Turki, Mayor of Jeddah, Mr. Ihsan Abu Ghazaleh, Chairman of AlBaik, and KAUST President Sir Edward Byrne.
The agreement was signed by Eng. Rami Abu Ghazaleh, CEO of AlBaik Food Systems Company, and Samer Samman, Senior Vice President and CAO at KAUST.
“This partnership is about exploring smart systems that elevate the customer experience in ordering and delivery, while applying intelligent solutions to support sustainability,” said Eng. Rami Abu Ghazaleh.
Dr. Ian Campbell, Vice President of the National Transformation Institute at KAUST, emphasized the collaboration’s focus on drone and autonomous vehicle technologies to improve delivery efficiency in dense urban areas.
This pioneering initiative is a significant step toward a smarter food service future in Saudi Arabia, highlighting AlBaik’s dedication to technological advancement, especially as it celebrates its 50th anniversary, and aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals for innovation and sustainability.
