Dubai has taken another bold step toward its vision of becoming a global leader in smart mobility. On Friday, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) officially granted permits to three leading Chinese firms — Baidu’s Apollo Go, WeRide, and Pony.ai — to begin on-road autonomous vehicle trials across the city.
This landmark move adds a new dimension to Dubai’s public transport ecosystem, allowing the companies to deploy and test self-driving cars in real urban environments. The collaboration aims to create a global benchmark for autonomous mobility, showcasing how advanced technology can integrate seamlessly with city infrastructure.
Driving Dubai’s Smart Transport Strategy
The initiative is closely aligned with Dubai’s Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which seeks to convert 25% of all trips in the emirate into autonomous journeys by 2030. By leveraging world-class expertise in autonomous driving technologies and large-scale fleet operations, the trials will ensure vehicles adapt smoothly to Dubai’s unique traffic and urban conditions.
Self-Driving Taxis by 2026
During the Dubai World Self-Driving Transport Exhibition held earlier this week, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, was briefed on the latest developments. He reviewed progress on the self-driving taxi service, which has already begun pilot operations with over 60 vehicles in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim. The service is set to launch commercially without drivers by 2026, under the unified brand identity ‘Dubai Future Ride’.
These autonomous taxis will provide passengers with an innovative travel experience, including AI-powered interactive entertainment screens, merging futuristic design with cutting-edge mobility.
Cementing Global Leadership
Through these partnerships and rapid implementations, Dubai continues to reinforce its position as a world-leading hub for autonomous transport innovation. The city’s proactive strategy highlights its ambition not just to adopt new technologies, but to shape the future of global mobility.
