Starting in 2025, Dubai will begin testing autonomous taxis, which will be fully operational by 2026, becoming a step towards turning a quarter of all trips into driverless ones by 2030.
Driverless taxis in Dubai
In April 2025, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced a partnership with Uber, WeRide, and Baidu's Apollo Go to introduce autonomous taxis in the city. The initiative is aimed at fulfilling Dubai's vision of making 25% of all rides autonomous by 2030.
The project plans to begin trials with safety drivers in 2025 and move to fully autonomous commercial operations by 2026. Uber will provide its autonomous vehicle hailing platform, while WeRide will provide advanced autonomous driving technology. Baidu’s Apollo Go, which has already achieved more than 150 million kilometers of safe autonomous driving in China, will also join the initiative, planning to deploy more than 1,000 robotaxis on UAE roads.
The introduction of autonomous taxis aims to improve road safety, reduce congestion and improve accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities. These measures are in line with Dubai's sustainability goals by promoting the use of electric and environmentally friendly vehicles.
RTA and its partners will collaborate on pilot programs, focusing on technology integration, safety protocols and regulatory frameworks to ensure a smooth transition to autonomous mobility in Dubai.
These efforts highlight Dubai's ambition to become a global leader in innovative transport solutions, providing smarter, safer and more efficient travel experiences for residents and visitors.
