Dubai Gears Up For The Launch Of Driverless Taxis This Year (image-x/@RTA)
When Abu Dhabi gears up for the flying taxi, Dubai is all set to launch their next fleet of ‘latest generation’ self-driving taxis. According to the Dubai authorities, in a major transport partnership with China’s Baidu, their autonomous ride-hailing service Apollo Go will hit the roads this year, before its official launch in 2026.
This move has come as part of the new partnership which will witness a major transport collaboration between Dubai and China. As per the plans, 1,000 of the company’s autonomous vehicles will reach the emirate by 2028.
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As of now, Dubai RTA will trial 50 of the cutting-edge cars, which will be operated under Baidu’s ride-hailing service. And the authorities have decided to conduct data collection and testing in the coming months.
“Baidu’s Apollo Go will deploy the sixth, also the latest generation, of its autonomous taxis RT6, specifically designed for autonomous mobility services,” Dubai Media Office said on social media platform X.
RTA signs MoU with Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing service Apollo Go, a global leader in autonomous transport solutions, to roll out autonomous taxis on a large scale across the emirate. The company will begin the experimental operation of 50 autonomous vehicles in the coming… pic.twitter.com/ZYPeakIpi9
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) April 20, 2025
“The data collection and testing phase will commence with 50 vehicles in the coming months, gradually expanding to 1,000 autonomous taxis over the next three years,” it added.
Apollo Go will deploy the latest generation of its RT6, specifically designed for autonomous mobility services. These vehicles are fitted with 40 sensors and detectors to “ensure the highest standards” of automation and safety.
Moreover, this new launch with RTA will mark Apollo Go’s first international expansion in the testing and company’s operation of autonomous vehicles outside China and Hong Kong.
Read also: UAE’s Big Step Towards Inclusivity: Open Beach For Visually Challenged
UAE aims to become a leader in smart mobility to boost sustainability and in adopting the latest technologies.
And to achieve this motive, Dubai has begun supervising the testing of driverless vehicles on its public roads in October 2023, after the US self-driving tech company Cruise, which is backed by General Motors and Honda Motor, was issued a trial permit.
