Dubai is moving closer to introducing driverless taxis on its roads. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has started pilot runs ahead of the official launch, expected in the first quarter of 2026.
According to Khaled Al Awadhi, Director of Transportation Systems at RTA’s Public Transport Agency, testing is already underway in several parts of the city, including Jumeirah. The initiative follows agreements with global autonomous vehicle companies Baidu (Apollo Go), Pony.ai, and WeRide.
Al Awadhi confirmed that driverless taxis will be made available to the public once the commercial phase begins. “The idea is to provide robotaxi services in Dubai by early 2026,” he said at the Dubai World Congress and Challenge for Self-Driving Transport.
Pilot testing across Dubai
Initial trials began in Dubai Silicon Oasis under controlled conditions. After passing safety checks, Baidu and WeRide moved to real-world testing on open roads. Currently, 60 vehicles are being tested, with 50 operated by Baidu and 10 by WeRide.
RTA has granted trial permits for these tests, and both its technical teams and independent experts are monitoring performance closely. The trials aim to ensure safety, reliability, and readiness before full public rollout.
Public engagement with robotaxi rides
During the Dubai World Congress, attendees experienced exclusive rides in Baidu’s driverless taxis. Their feedback is being used to refine the service and build public confidence.
Once commercial operations begin, driverless taxis will gradually expand across Dubai. The plan also includes phasing out safety drivers, allowing fully autonomous rides. Al Awadhi highlighted that Dubai already has regulations in place to manage autonomous transport, with safety as the top priority.
The arrival of driverless taxis in 2026 will mark a major step in Dubai’s smart mobility strategy, aiming to reduce congestion and promote sustainable urban transport.
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