Dubai Grants Permits for Autonomous Vehicle Trials by Baidu, WeRide and Pony.ai

Dubai has taken a major step towards advancing its smart mobility ambitions, granting permits to three leading autonomous driving companies — Baidu’s Apollo Go, WeRide and Pony.ai — to begin on-road testing of self-driving vehicles across the emirate. The announcement was made by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), which confirmed that the companies will now be able to deploy vehicles for real-world trials on Dubai’s streets.

The initiative marks a significant expansion of Dubai’s public transport ecosystem as the city seeks to integrate cutting-edge mobility solutions. Under the RTA’s supervision, the three companies will conduct all necessary testing and operations to ensure the vehicles are adapted to Dubai’s unique urban and environmental conditions.

The collaboration builds on agreements signed earlier this year between RTA and the three autonomous mobility firms, aimed at developing a structured roadmap for the introduction of self-driving taxi services in the emirate. The permits represent a key milestone in executing this plan, which aligns with Dubai’s broader push to adopt advanced technologies across multiple sectors.

By working with Baidu, WeRide and Pony.ai, the RTA aims to establish a global benchmark for autonomous driving and reinforce Dubai’s standing as a pioneer in smart cities and future mobility. The move also underscores the emirate’s commitment to innovation-driven growth and its ambitions to become a world leader in autonomous transport.

This effort directly supports Dubai’s Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which seeks to transform 25 per cent of all mobility journeys into autonomous trips by 2030. The strategy covers multiple modes of transport, including taxis, buses, marine transport and last-mile solutions, with the goal of reducing congestion, improving safety and enhancing sustainability.

Commenting on the initiative, RTA officials emphasized that partnerships with global technology leaders are critical to achieving these targets and ensuring the safe deployment of autonomous mobility in Dubai. The trials are expected to provide valuable insights into vehicle performance, safety standards and customer acceptance, paving the way for the eventual rollout of commercial self-driving taxi services.

Dubai’s decision to grant permits to these companies also reflects its growing role as a hub for international innovation and collaboration. As other cities around the world continue to experiment with autonomous driving technologies, Dubai’s structured and ambitious approach could position it as a model for large-scale adoption of self-driving solutions.

With testing now set to begin, the emirate is moving closer to realizing its vision of a future where autonomous vehicles play a central role in urban mobility.