Dubai rolls out autonomous taxi service

Dubai is rolling out commercial autonomous taxi services across select neighbourhoods, marking a new step towards diversified public transit and smart mobility in the emirate.

In partnership with Apollo Go and WeRide, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched operations in Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah. Passengers can now book rides through two apps: WeRide via Uber and Apollo Go via the Apollo Go app.

The self-driving vehicles are powered by artificial intelligence and advanced sensors, enabling them to safely navigate city streets and highways in live traffic. The rollout follows extensive tests, with the operators’ fleets having logged more than 150 million kilometres and 10 million autonomous trips worldwide.

During this first phase, RTA will deploy 100 taxis within Dubai’s transport network, with gradual expansion expected in the coming years. 

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The move follows the implementation of driverless Uber taxis on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island in November 2025. The UAE capital became the first city in the Middle East to operate fully driverless robotaxis, and the only city outside the US to offer such vehicles on Uber’s platform. Pilot programmes are also underway in Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE. 

In other mobility projects, Dubai is preparing to launch its first-ever commercial air taxi service in 2026, offering passengers fast, point-to-point flights across the emirate. The service will be bookable via Uber and operate from four key vertiports: Dubai International Airport (DXB), Dubai Mall, Atlantis The Royal and the American University of Dubai.

Travel times for trips will be significantly shorter, with journeys such as DXB to Palm Jumeirah cut to 15 minutes instead of the typical 45-minute car ride. In addition to Dubai, the network is also being tested in Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Saudi Arabia.

For more information, visit rta.ae