Dubai is taking a major leap toward next-generation mobility with the imminent launch of fully autonomous ride-hailing services in the city through a high-profile partnership between Baidu’s Apollo Go autonomous vehicle platform and Uber. This cutting-edge mobility option, supported by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), is set to begin operations in Dubai’s Jumeirah area soon, making it one of the world’s first cities to offer robotaxi rides at scale via a mainstream app.
What’s happening: Apollo Go meets Uber in Dubai
The deal brings Baidu’s Apollo Go autonomous ride-hailing service to the Uber platform, allowing passengers in Dubai to book driverless vehicles much like normal Uber rides. Riders will use the familiar Uber app to request a self-driving trip by selecting an “Autonomous” option or by booking through UberX or Uber Comfort and being matched with an Apollo Go vehicle.
Booking an Uber in Dubai could soon mean riding with Apollo Go!
In the coming month, Apollo Go autonomous vehicles will be available via the @Uber app, starting in the Jumeirah area, in partnership with Dubai’s @rta_dubai. Riders may be matched with a fully driverless Apollo Go… pic.twitter.com/IH4jNYm81N— Baidu Inc. (@Baidu_Inc) February 10, 2026
This operational rollout represents a new phase of autonomous mobility: the vehicles are expected to be fully self-driving, without a human safety driver, once initial deployment is complete and regulatory approval is finalized.
From testing to public roads: Dubai’s pioneering steps
Baidu’s Apollo Go has already laid the groundwork well before this launch. In late 2025, it received Dubai’s first fully driverless testing permit from the RTA and ran open-road trials with its fleet. This license marked the first time a company was authorized to conduct fully unmanned autonomous vehicle operations in the city.
On my way to the World Governments Summit 2026, I took a ride in a fully autonomous taxi, enabled by artificial intelligence, advanced sensing technologies, and autonomous decision-making systems. The future of mobility in Dubai will be smarter, safer, more efficient, and more… pic.twitter.com/p4xJFE0HS0— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) February 5, 2026
Dubai also inaugurated a dedicated autonomous vehicle operations centre, Apollo Go’s first outside China, to support testing, maintenance, safety systems and fleet control. The plan is to scale the service over time, with aspirations to expand the autonomous fleet to more than 1,000 vehicles in the coming years as part of the city’s broader transport vision.Dubai’s new service launch is not just about novelty, it is part of a strategic effort to modernize transport infrastructure and create a smarter, safer, more efficient urban mobility ecosystem –
- Smart Transportation Goals: The autonomous ride-hailing launch aligns with Dubai’s ambition to have 25% of all trips be autonomous by 2030, a target embedded in the city’s long-term transport strategy.
- Global Tech Leadership: Baidu’s Apollo Go platform already operates in 22 cities worldwide, accumulating hundreds of millions of autonomous kilometers with millions of completed autonomous rides, demonstrating its readiness for large-scale public use.
- RTA Support and Innovation: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has played a pivotal role by granting permits, enabling trials and creating a regulatory environment that supports this cutting-edge tech.
This deployment marks a high-visibility example of how cities can embrace artificial intelligence, sensors, advanced decision-making systems and smart infrastructure to improve everyday mobility for residents and visitors.
What self riders in Dubai can expect
Initially, autonomous vehicles will be available in key zones like the Jumeirah area, with service coverage expanding as data from early operations and regulatory frameworks evolve. Over time, the project is expected to become more seamless, with autonomous vehicles operating across broader urban areas.Passengers will enjoy:
- Driverless pickup and drop-off booked through the Uber app.
- The same booking experience as traditional Uber services but with autonomous AI-driven vehicles.
- Potentially lower congestion and emissions as autonomous rides integrate with Dubai’s smart transport network.
The autonomous ride-hailing launch follows years of groundwork, including pilot projects with safety drivers and other autonomous vehicle initiatives. Dubai is not alone in piloting such services as variations of robotaxis are being tested in many leading high-tech cities but integrating them into a mainstream ride-hailing platform at this level makes Dubai a global leader in real-world autonomous deployment.The initiative also builds on wider UAE advancements, including plans for other autonomous services and smart city innovations that are positioning the Emirates as a global hub for future mobility and tech commercialization.
self driving challenges and considerations ahead in Dubai
Despite the enthusiasm, autonomous ride-hailing still faces hurdles –
- Operational Safety: Ensuring vehicles respond correctly in complex urban environments is paramount and real-time data and local safety protocols remain critical factors.
- Regulatory Compliance: Continued expansion depends on ongoing regulatory oversight and updates to address evolving safety standards.
- Public Adoption: Educating riders and building public confidence in autonomous technology will be key to widespread acceptance.
The arrival of Apollo Go autonomous ride-hailing in Dubai via Uber is a major milestone in the evolution of urban transportation, combining AI-driven vehicles, strategic government support and world-class infrastructure. As this service transitions from pilot to public rollout in 2026, it could redefine how people move through the city, reduce reliance on traditional drivers, and advance Dubai’s smart city aspirations into tangible reality.
