Dubai has entered a new era of transport. The emirate now has fully driverless taxis operating on its roads — and you can book one through the Uber app right now. Here is everything you need to know about the robotaxi launch in Dubai.
What Is the Dubai Robotaxi Service?
Dubai’s autonomous taxi service is powered by Apollo Go, the ride-hailing platform developed by Chinese AI giant Baidu. The service operates using Baidu’s sixth-generation RT6 autonomous vehicles — fully driverless cars that navigate using artificial intelligence, advanced sensors, and real-time mapping.
The service is available in the Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim areas of Dubai, with plans for rapid expansion across the city. A dedicated 2,000-square-metre Operations and Control Centre at Dubai Science Park monitors the entire fleet in real time.
When Did It Launch?
The transition from testing to commercial operations happened on February 5, 2026, when Dubai officially announced that autonomous taxis were moving from pilot phase to public commercial service. Full public bookings became available in March 2026.
This follows an MOU signed between the RTA and Baidu Apollo Go in March 2025, the issuance of Dubai’s first fully driverless trial permit in July 2025, and extensive road trials involving 50 autonomous vehicles beginning in August 2025.
How to Book a Robotaxi
Booking a driverless taxi in Dubai is straightforward:
- Open the Uber app on your phone.
- Enter your destination.
- Select the ‘Autonomous’ option if it appears, or look for an Apollo Go vehicle when choosing Uber Comfort or UberX in the eligible service area.
- The app will match you with an available robotaxi if one is nearby.
- Ride to your destination with no human driver in the vehicle.
The service currently operates in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim, two of Dubai’s most popular residential and tourist zones located near public beaches.
How Much Does It Cost?
Robotaxi fares are set at approximately 30 percent above standard Dubai taxi rates, placing them closer to limousine taxi pricing. This premium reflects the advanced technology behind the vehicles and the novelty of the experience.
While official per-kilometre pricing has not been publicly listed in detail, riders can expect fares to be displayed in the Uber app at the time of booking, consistent with Uber’s standard transparent pricing model.
Is It Safe?
Safety is central to how the service has been designed and regulated. Apollo Go has logged over 240 million autonomous kilometres globally, including more than 140 million kilometres in fully driverless mode without any human backup driver. The platform has completed over 20 million cumulative rides worldwide as of February 2026.
Dubai’s RTA issued the first permit in the UAE for fully autonomous trials without a safety driver — a significant regulatory milestone. The Operations and Control Centre at Dubai Science Park provides real-time safety oversight for the entire fleet.
Autonomous vehicles are also expected to improve road safety more broadly, given that human error accounts for over 90 percent of traffic accidents globally, according to authorities.
How Big Will the Fleet Get?
The plan is ambitious. The fleet is projected to grow to 1,000 autonomous taxis within three years, and the long-term target is 4,000 driverless vehicles on Dubai’s roads by 2030. This aligns with Dubai’s official goal of having 25 percent of all transportation trips be autonomous by 2030.
In the first phase, 65 locations across the city have been identified as designated pick-up and drop-off zones. These will form the foundation of Apollo Go’s expansion network in Dubai.
Who Makes the Robotaxis?
The RT6 vehicles used in Dubai are manufactured by Baidu, the leading Chinese AI and technology company. Apollo Go, Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing subsidiary, already operates across 22 cities globally and recently exceeded 300,000 weekly rides worldwide. Dubai marks the platform’s first deployment in the Middle East.
In a separate but related development, WeRide — another autonomous vehicle company — has also launched robotaxi services in Dubai through Uber, operating near Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim with a fleet of close to 150 autonomous vehicles in the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there anyone in the car with me?
A: No. The vehicle operates fully autonomously. There is no driver or safety operator inside.
Q: What if something goes wrong?
A: The Operations and Control Centre at Dubai Science Park monitors the fleet in real time and can intervene remotely if needed.
Q: Can children or elderly passengers use the service?
A: The service is open to all residents. Authorities have highlighted that autonomous vehicles are particularly beneficial for elderly residents and people of determination.