Dubai to Introduce Autonomous Taxis

Dubai has a track record of turning science fiction into reality. With flying taxis on the radar and robot police officers already introduced, the city is now gearing up to introduce a fleet of driverless taxis.

The arrival of driverless taxis in Dubai marks a pivotal moment—one that fuses sustainability, technology, and urban convenience into a groundbreaking public service. Here's everything we know so far about the upcoming autonomous taxi service.

All About the Driverless Taxis in Dubai

RTA Dubai is introducing a smart transportation mode with a fleet of all-electric, zero-emission vehicles that support the city’s long-term sustainability goals. These autonomous taxis in Dubai will be environmentally friendly and equipped with advanced technology that allows for real-time navigation, object detection, and responsive driving.

As one of the most exciting transport projects in the UAE, the introduction of driverless taxis in Dubai is now in its final preparatory stage. The RTA has successfully completed the digital mapping and testing framework needed to pilot the service.

With the project in its final phases, Dubai is also set to become the first city in the region to implement regulatory policies for the commercial operation of autonomous vehicles.

Partnership Between RTA and Baidu

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has formalized a strategic partnership with Apollo Go, Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing arm, to introduce a large-scale fleet of autonomous taxis in Dubai. This move reflects the city’s forward-thinking vision for mobility transformation.

The signing ceremony brought together key figures, including Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA, and Halton Niu, General Manager of Overseas Business at Baidu's Intelligent Driving Group (IDG). Representing their respective organizations, Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, and Liang Zhang, General Manager of Overseas Business, MENA, Baidu IDG, officially signed the agreement.

As the creators of China’s first autonomous taxi service, Apollo Go is globally recognized for integrating AI, big data, and automation into real-world transport solutions. Their entry into the UAE market aims to lay the groundwork for future-ready urban mobility.

According to Al Tayer, the collaboration supports Dubai’s Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which targets converting 25% of all trips to autonomous journeys by 2030. He also highlighted that RTA has been experimenting with self-driving technology since 2016, making this latest partnership a natural evolution.

Deployment of Autonomous Taxis in Dubai

Deployment of autonomous taxis in Dubai will begin with 50 vehicles entering a structured trial phase. Each unit will be tested against the city’s rigorous performance and safety criteria. By 2026, full-scale public operations are expected, with the fleet projected to expand to 1,000 vehicles over three years. This approach ensures a smooth and reliable integration of autonomous taxis in Dubai into daily life.

Apollo Go’s expertise is underscored by over 150 million kilometers of safe autonomous driving and more than 10 million completed rides. As the world’s largest autonomous vehicle fleet operator, their experience provides a solid foundation for the Dubai launch.

As outlined in the MoU, Apollo Go will introduce the RT6 model—its most advanced generation of autonomous vehicles—into the Dubai market. Purpose-built for self-driving mobility services, each unit is equipped with 40 state-of-the-art sensors and detectors that enhance environmental awareness, safety, and precision.

Digital Mapping of Taxis

RTA and Cruise have completed the digital mapping for the first autonomous taxi route in Dubai. The mapped area covers Jumeirah 1—from the Etihad Museum to the Dubai Water Canal. Human-driven Chevrolet Bolt EVs were used to gather the data.

The mapping recorded streets, pedestrian crossings, signs, and other key road elements. This data will be used to guide self-driving taxis safely through the area.

Five driverless taxis in Dubai will be tested along an 8 km stretch of Jumeirah Road. The test phase begins in the first week of October this year.

No human passengers will be onboard during initial test runs. However, a selected group will be allowed to experience the service. After these trials, full commercial operations of autonomous taxis in Dubai are expected by the second half of 2024.

Features of the Driverless Taxis

Passengers can check real-time ride updates through touchscreen tablets in the vehicle. These tablets also include sensors that remind users to fasten seat belts and close the doors if left open.

A support button inside the taxi allows riders to connect directly with a remote assistance team. Passengers can also end their trip anytime using a dedicated function. For emergencies, an additional safety button is installed.

If someone leaves belongings behind, the support team will reach out to return the items promptly.
Each Cruise autonomous vehicle is fitted with five high-precision laser sensors to detect both moving and stationary objects. To ensure safe and intelligent navigation, autonomous taxis in Dubai also feature 21 radars and 16 cameras working together in real time.

Convenience for People of Determination

The system is designed for inclusivity. If a passenger forgets to close the door, the vehicle handles it automatically and proceeds to the next stop. Like Dubai’s specialized taxi services, driverless taxis in Dubai will include features tailored for passengers with visual or hearing impairments.

How Would Autonomous Taxis in Dubai Work?

Hailing a driverless taxi in Dubai will be easy peasy. Passengers will use a dedicated mobile app—easy to download and intuitive to navigate—similar to other ride-hailing platforms used in the city.

But the experience goes far beyond a typical taxi ride. Since these are self-driving vehicles, the interaction is fully digital and highly personalized. Before entering the car, riders can set preferences like cabin temperature and music through the app. With autonomous taxis in Dubai, the journey starts before you even step inside.