The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has announced plans to introduce self-driving taxis on the emirate's roads by 2026, following the expansion of its partnerships with leading autonomous driving technology providers.

The autonomous vehicles (AVs) will be deployed via the Uber platform in collaboration with Uber Technologies, WeRide, and Baidu, through its autonomous mobility division, Apollo Go.

This initiative forms a key component of Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aspires to achieve 25 percent of all journeys in the city through autonomous transport modes by 2030. Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of RTA's Executive Directors Board, emphasized that these partnerships are pivotal in enhancing public transport connectivity and increasing the safety of Dubai's roads.

According to Al Tayer, the introduction of autonomous taxis will facilitate better integration of transport systems for users, thereby improving first and last-mile connectivity to public transport.

He noted, "Autonomous vehicles contribute to improved road safety, as human error is responsible for over 90 percent of traffic accidents." The RTA's First and Last-Mile Strategy aims to ease passenger movement between their origin or destination and nearby public transport stations.

Testing of the autonomous taxi system is set to commence this year, with safety drivers present in the vehicles at the outset.

Al Tayer announced that Uber, in collaboration with WeRide and Baidu through Apollo Go, will begin trials this year as a prelude to the full driverless commercial launch in 2026. The broader rollout is anticipated to significantly alter Dubai's transport landscape, enhancing network integration for public transport users.

Robin Li, co-founder and CEO of Baidu, highlighted that this venture marks Apollo Go’s most significant international expansion to date.

He stated that they are committed to delivering safe and efficient services globally, partnering with local entities to provide beneficial transport solutions.

Apollo Go has accumulated over 150 million kilometers of safe autonomous driving and operates ride-hailing services in over ten cities in China.

Since February, Apollo Go has initiated fully driverless operations in China and completed over 10 million autonomous rides, establishing itself as the world’s largest operator of driverless fleets.

Its sixth-generation robotaxi, the RT6, designed for autonomous ride-hailing, has received positive feedback from passengers.

Uber expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Dubai’s RTA.

Noah Zych, global head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery Operations at Uber, noted the company’s commitment to shaping the future of transportation in partnership with leading autonomous vehicle developers globally.

Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer at WeRide, remarked on Dubai's role in expanding mobility services in the Middle East, indicating that their advanced autonomous technology combined with Uber's platform will cater to consumers in global urban centers.

In related transport usage statistics, the RTA reported that public transit, including taxis and shared mobility vehicles, transported 6.39 million passengers during the Eid Al Fitr holiday from March 30 to April 1. During this period, the Dubai Metro transported 2.428 million riders, the tram served 111,130 passengers, and public buses carried 1.33 million commuters.

Taxis and shared mobility services contributed significantly to the overall transport figures as well.