Chinese autonomous delivery vehicle maker Neolix has temporarily suspended the daily operations of its driverless vehicles in Abu Dhabi, according to a report by Yicai.

The suspension comes as tensions escalate in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

According to the report, Neolix paused operations to comply with requirements from relevant government departments in the United Arab Emirates and to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment.

The company said it will continue coordinating with regulators and local partners and plans to resume operations when conditions allow.

Regional Security Concerns Disrupt Autonomous Mobility

The decision highlights how geopolitical tensions are beginning to affect emerging technology sectors across the Middle East.

Iran launched missile strikes earlier Thursday as the conflict entered its sixth day, heightening security concerns across the region and prompting precautionary measures from technology firms operating autonomous vehicles.

Industry players with operations in Gulf countries are closely monitoring the situation as regional hubs such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai have become key testing grounds for autonomous mobility technologies.

Other Robotaxi Firms Also Pause Operations

Neolix is not the only company taking precautionary steps.

Chinese autonomous driving company WeRide has suspended its robotaxi fleet in Dubai, while Pony.ai paused on-road testing in both Dubai and Doha earlier in the week.

Pony.ai has since resumed testing activities in Doha but continues to monitor conditions in the region.

The disruptions underline the vulnerability of emerging autonomous transport ecosystems to geopolitical instability, particularly in regions where pilot programs and infrastructure development are still underway.