Abstract

Industrial supply chains in Saudi Arabia are experiencing unprecedented pressures stemming from rising operational costs, heightened customer expectations for rapid delivery, labor market volatility, and the imperative to enhance competitiveness in global markets. These challenges, coupled with national imperatives under Vision 2030 to diversify the economy and modernize industrial infrastructure, have catalyzed interest in autonomous logistics systems as strategic enablers of supply chain transformation. This article examines the adoption of autonomous logistics technologies, including autonomous mobile robots, automated guided vehicles, warehouse automation platforms, and emerging autonomous trucking pilots, within the context of Saudi industrial supply chains. The study explores how these systems integrate with data analytics, Internet of Things sensing, and decision support architectures to optimize logistics operations. Empirical evidence and industry case analyses reveal that autonomous logistics systems significantly improve supply chain performance across multiple dimensions, including cost reduction through labor and energy efficiency, enhanced operational speed via continuous operations and reduced cycle times, improved reliability through error minimization, elevated safety standards by reducing human exposure to hazardous tasks, and strengthened resilience against disruptions. However, adoption trajectories remain contingent upon addressing technological scalability, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, workforce readiness, and regulatory harmonization. The article concludes by identifying strategic recommendations for policymakers, industrial operators, and technology providers to facilitate scalable deployment, establish robust governance frameworks, and align autonomous logistics initiatives with national industrial transformation agendas, thereby positioning Saudi Arabia as a regional leader in smart logistics innovation.