Dubai RTA Partners with Tech Giants to Roll Out Self-Driving Taxis

In a major push toward autonomous mobility, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced new partnerships with global technology leaders Uber, WeRide, and China’s Baidu through its Apollo Go unit. The collaboration marks a significant step in Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for smart transportation solutions.

Under the agreements, self-driving taxis will be integrated into Uber’s platform in Dubai, with WeRide leading the rollout. Baidu’s Apollo Go, a leading provider of autonomous ride-hailing services, will also begin operations in the emirate.

The initiative is part of RTA’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to transition 25% of all journeys in Dubai to autonomous modes by 2030.

Advancing Smart Mobility

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of RTA’s Board of Executive Directors, emphasized the importance of the partnerships in transforming Dubai’s transport sector.

“These agreements reinforce Dubai’s commitment to integrating advanced transport solutions and enhancing urban mobility,” Al Tayer said. “Since launching autonomous mobility trials in 2016, we have consistently expanded our initiatives. The introduction of self-driving taxis will greatly improve first and last-mile connectivity for public transport users.”

Al Tayer also highlighted the safety benefits of autonomous vehicles, noting that human error accounts for over 90% of traffic accidents. “This initiative will serve a broad segment of the community, including senior citizens, residents, and people of determination,” he added.

Uber and WeRide plan to begin testing self-driving taxis in Dubai this year, with safety drivers present. A fully driverless commercial launch is expected by 2026.

Global Tech Leaders Expand in Dubai

Baidu’s move into Dubai marks its most significant international expansion outside China. Apollo Go, its autonomous ride-hailing service, has logged over 150 million kilometers of safe autonomous driving.

“This partnership with RTA underscores Dubai’s commitment to innovation in mobility,” said Dr. Wang Yunpeng, Baidu’s Vice President and President of the Intelligent Driving Group. “We aim to deliver safe, sustainable, and efficient transportation solutions to global markets.”

Uber is also strengthening its focus on autonomous mobility. “We’re excited to work with RTA to bring self-driving vehicles onto Uber’s platform, starting with WeRide,” said Noah Zych, Uber’s Global Head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery Operations. “This partnership underscores our commitment to scaling self-driving technology worldwide.”

WeRide views Dubai as a key market in its expansion plans. “Dubai is a natural step in our Middle East growth strategy,” said Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer and Head of International Business at WeRide. “Our collaboration with Uber will accelerate the adoption of advanced autonomous mobility solutions.”

Apollo Go, already a leader in large-scale autonomous ride-hailing services in China, recently launched fully driverless operations in multiple Chinese cities. Its latest robotaxi model, the RT6, has been well received and is expected to play a crucial role in Dubai’s self-driving taxi rollout.

As Dubai continues to embrace smart city initiatives, the integration of autonomous taxis is expected to enhance urban transportation, reduce traffic accidents, and position the city at the forefront of global mobility innovation.