Dubai is gearing up for a future with driverless taxis on its roads. In a major move towards smart mobility, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing arm, Apollo Go, to introduce self-driving taxis across the city — marking the company’s first major international expansion outside China.
The initiative aligns with Dubai’s ambitious plan to make 25% of all transport autonomous by 2030, transforming the way people move in the city.
Autonomous vehicles in Dubai
As part of the agreement, 50 autonomous vehicles will begin experimental operations in the coming months, with a goal to scale up to 1,000 taxis over the next three years. These taxis will be powered by Baidu’s latest model, the RT6, which comes equipped with 40 advanced sensors for enhanced safety and automation.
The RT6 has already seen wide success in China, where Baidu’s Apollo Go has completed over 10 million autonomous trips and logged more than 150 million kilometres of safe driving.
Launch set for 2026
The official public rollout of the autonomous taxi service is planned for 2026. The data and testing phase will begin shortly, focusing on service efficiency and safety benchmarks.
RTA and Baidu aim to reshape Dubai’s transport landscape by integrating cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence and big data, into daily mobility solutions.
A Vision for smarter, safer travel
This collaboration supports Dubai’s Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy and reinforces its position as a global hub for innovation.
The partnership also paves the way for greater inclusion, giving more people — including children, the elderly, and those unable to drive — access to safe and reliable transportation.
Leaders from RTA and Baidu have praised the agreement as a pivotal step in future-proofing urban mobility and building sustainable, tech-driven cities.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
