Driverless Taxis to Hit Dubai Roads in 2026

Dubai is set to roll out driverless taxis by 2026, with Uber and Baidu partnering with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch the autonomous vehicle service. Starting this year, riders can hail self-driving cabs via Uber’s WeRide platform or Baidu’s Apollo Go app, marking the first time the Chinese company will operate in Dubai.

This initiative is part of Dubai’s strategy to make 25% of public transport journeys autonomous by 2030. During the initial trial phase in 2025, a driver will be present behind the wheel to ensure smooth operations.

The driverless taxis aim to improve road safety, reduce traffic accidents, and provide better connectivity, especially for senior citizens and people of determination. With plans to deploy 4,000 autonomous taxis in the future, the project is expected to ease traffic, cut emissions, and save billions in transportation costs and productivity gains.