Dubai RTA grants first robotaxi trial permits to Baidu, WeRide, Pony.ai

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has issued its first permits for autonomous driving trials, granting Baidu’s Apollo Go, WeRide and Pony.ai the go-ahead to begin on-road testing of self-driving vehicles across urban Dubai.

The move marks a major milestone in Dubai’s push to integrate driverless technology into its transport system. The three leading Chinese mobility companies will now deploy their autonomous fleets in urban areas under RTA supervision, conducting trials to ensure safe operations and seamless adaptation to the city’s traffic conditions.

To date, these companies have been conducting tests in select areas such as Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim, following an earlier pilot in Dubai Silicon Oasis. The sixth-generation Apollo RT6 vehicles have been undergoing pilot runs since August in Jumeirah.
“Through partnerships with Baidu’s Apollo Go, WeRide and Pony.ai, RTA is adding a new dimension to Dubai’s public transport ecosystem,” the authority said in a statement. “The trials will help co-build a global benchmark for smart mobility and strengthen Dubai’s position as a world-leading autonomous city.”

The permits follow agreements signed earlier this year between RTA and the three firms, accelerating implementation of Dubai’s plan to roll out autonomous taxis. The initiative is part of the emirate’s Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to make 25 per cent of all journeys in Dubai autonomous by 2030.

According to RTA officials, commercial operations are scheduled to commence in the first quarter of next year.