Dubai to launch self-driving taxis by 2026

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced plans to roll out self-driving taxis by 2026, marking a major milestone in the city’s journey towards smart, autonomous mobility.

The announcement follows the expansion of RTA’s global partnerships with leading autonomous vehicle technology companies—Uber, WeRide, and



Baidu—through its mobility arm, Apollo Go.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the RTA, confirmed that pilot operations will begin in 2025. “Uber, in collaboration with WeRide and Baidu, will start commercial trials of autonomous taxis in Dubai this year, featuring a safety driver on board, ahead of the full launch in 2026,” he said.