Dubai is set to introduce self-driving taxis on its roads by 2026, as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) expands its collaboration with autonomous driving technology providers.

This ambitious initiative aims to position Dubai as a global leader in autonomous mobility and smart city innovation.

The autonomous vehicles (AVs) will be launched in partnership with Uber Technologies, WeRide, and China’s Baidu through its autonomous mobility division, Apollo Go.

These partnerships mark a significant milestone in Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to convert 25 percent of all journeys in the city into autonomous trips across various transport modes by 2030.

Enhancing Transport Connectivity and Safety

According to Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, the deployment of autonomous taxis will significantly boost the city’s transport network.

“The launch of autonomous taxis will support the integration of transport systems, making it easier for passengers to connect with public transport,” Al Tayer said.

“This aligns with RTA’s First and Last-Mile Strategy, which aims to bridge the gap between passengers’ origin or destination and the nearest transport station.”

Al Tayer emphasized that autonomous vehicles could also improve road safety. “Human error is responsible for over 90 percent of traffic accidents. By introducing self-driving taxis, we are reducing this risk and making roads safer for motorists and pedestrians alike.”

Additionally, he noted that these vehicles will benefit a broad segment of the community, particularly senior citizens, residents, and people of determination.

Trials to Begin This Year

The first phase of the project will commence this year, with initial trials conducted under the supervision of safety drivers.

“Uber, starting with WeRide, and Baidu through Apollo Go will initiate trials of autonomous taxis in Dubai this year,” Al Tayer confirmed. “These trials will pave the way for the commercial rollout of fully driverless taxis in 2026.”

The large-scale deployment of autonomous vehicles is expected to revolutionize Dubai’s transport landscape, strengthening the RTA’s efforts to enhance network integration and improve mobility for public transport users.

Global Expansion for Apollo Go and WeRide

For Baidu, this collaboration marks Apollo Go’s most significant international expansion beyond China.

“We are committed to delivering safe, sustainable, and efficient services to more regions, working alongside local partners to provide meaningful transport solutions,” said Robin Li, co-founder and CEO of Baidu.

Apollo Go has already accumulated over 150 million kilometers of safe autonomous driving and operates in more than 10 Chinese cities.

Since February, it has been running fully driverless services, completing over 10 million autonomous rides. Its latest robotaxi, RT6, has been widely welcomed by passengers.

Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer and Head of International Business at WeRide, also expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration.

“Dubai is a natural step forward in our commitment to advancing mobility in the Middle East and expanding globally. Partnering with Uber’s mobility platform will enable us to serve millions of consumers worldwide.”

Uber’s Role in the Future of Autonomous Transport

Uber, a key player in the ride-hailing industry, is equally optimistic about the project’s potential.

“We’re thrilled to work with Dubai’s RTA to bring autonomous vehicles onto the Uber platform,” said Noah Zych, Uber’s Global Head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery Operations. “This is part of our broader mission to commercialize and scale self-driving technology globally.”

As Dubai moves towards a more technologically advanced transport system, the deployment of autonomous taxis is expected to redefine urban mobility, improve road safety, and set a benchmark for other cities aiming to integrate autonomous vehicles into their transport infrastructure.

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members