Dubai Taxi Company has launched driverless taxi services in the emirate in partnership with Baidu Inc., introducing autonomous ride-hailing through the Apollo Go platform.
The service is now available through the Apollo Go App, marking its first international deployment. The rollout combines Baidu’s autonomous driving technology with Dubai Taxi Company’s operational network.
The initiative supports Dubai’s goal of making 25 per cent of all transport trips smart and driverless by 2030.
Fleet rollout
The service will begin with 50 vehicles in its first year. Plans are in place to expand the fleet to more than 1,000 driverless taxis over the coming years. Bookings are currently available via the Apollo Go app, with plans to extend access to other e-hailing platforms such as Bolt.
“Our partnership with DTC represents a new chapter for autonomous mobility in Dubai. By combining our cutting-edge technology with DTC’s local expertise, and through the launch of the Apollo Go app, our first international app deployment, we are creating a safe, efficient and scalable ride-hailing service that sets a new standard for the region. We are proud to contribute to Dubai’s vision for smart, future-ready transportation,” said Nan Yang, Vice President of Baidu and General Manager of Overseas Business Unit, Intelligent Driving Group.
Mansoor Rahma Alfalasi, Group CEO, DTC said, “Dubai Taxi Company is proud and excited to be among the first entities to roll out the operations of driverless taxis in Dubai, marking a significant milestone in advancing the emirate’s vision for smart and sustainable mobility.
“This initiative is in line with DTC’s innovation-driven strategy and its commitment to delivering future-ready services that elevate the customer experience. We are grateful to our strategic partner, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), for their unwavering support and the development of a comprehensive infrastructure that enables the seamless deployment of driverless taxis, aligned with the ambition of transforming 25% of all transportation trips into smart and driverless journeys by 2030.”
“We are equally proud to partner with Baidu Inc. to bring this future-forward technology to life, combining global innovation with Dubai’s pioneering spirit. The successful trials conducted over the past few months have demonstrated the vehicles’ readiness, particularly in terms of safety, reliability, and operational efficiency, reinforcing our confidence in scaling this initiative,” he added.
Testing milestone
Earlier this year, Apollo Go received Dubai’s first permit for fully autonomous vehicle testing without a safety driver. In January 2026, Baidu also opened its Apollo Go Park in the city as an overseas operations hub.
Dubai is part of Apollo Go’s wider global expansion. As of February 2026, the platform has completed more than 20 million rides worldwide, with weekly trips exceeding 300,000 at peak periods. Its vehicles have covered over 300 million kilometres in autonomous driving, including a significant share of fully driverless operations.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
