Dubai to start driverless taxi trials with Uber, WeRide this year

Dubai: Dubai is gearing up to take another bold leap in its smart mobility journey. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced today that it has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with Uber Technologies, Inc. and WeRide, a global autonomous driving leader, to kickstart pilot operations of self-driving taxis later this year.

Initially, the autonomous vehicles (AVs) will operate with a safety driver on board and be available via the Uber app. These trials aim to pave the way for the full-scale, driverless commercial rollout of robotaxis in Dubai by 2026, aligning closely with the city’s vision of making 25 per cent of all trips in Dubai autonomous by 2030.

The announcement follows RTA’s strategic expansion of partnerships with major global AV technology providers, including Uber, WeRide, and Baidu’s Apollo Go. These collaborations are part of the city’s broader Self-Driving Transport Strategy and aim to establish Dubai as a global testing ground for next-gen mobility solutions.

“The introduction of autonomous vehicles in Dubai represents a significant leap towards a smart and sustainable future for mobility, in line with the vision of our leadership to transform Dubai into the world’s smartest city,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA.

“This MoU reinforces Dubai’s global leadership in adopting advanced and sustainable transport solutions, embracing state-of-the-art technologies, and fostering innovative mobility initiatives.”

The partnerships, he added, also support the goals of the Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which seeks to convert 25% of all mobility journeys in the emirate into autonomous trips across various transport modes by 2030.

The collaboration is also part of RTA’s First and Last-Mile Strategy, designed to streamline travel between public transport stations and commuters’ starting or ending points.

WeRide, which already launched robotaxis in Abu Dhabi in 2021, now deepens its presence in the UAE with this Dubai pilot. Baidu, meanwhile, is preparing its debut via its autonomous ride-hailing platform Apollo Go, which has already logged more than 150 million kilometers of autonomous driving in China.

This marks Dubai as a key international hub for AV expansion beyond East Asia, North America, and Europe.

“We’re building the future of transportation by collaborating with top AV innovators to bring this technology to cities across the world,” said Noah Zych, Uber’s Global Head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery Operations. “Dubai is a natural next step.”

WeRide operates in over 30 cities across 10 countries and holds driverless permits in the UAE, China, the US, Singapore, and France. Its tie-up with Uber in Dubai is its second regional collaboration after Abu Dhabi.

RTA sees autonomous vehicles as a critical tool for reducing traffic accidents—90 per cent of which are caused by human error. AVs also expand access to transport for people of determination, the elderly, and others with limited mobility.

Baidu’s Apollo Go, which will also offer its services through its dedicated app in Dubai, has become the world’s largest operator of driverless fleets. Its sixth-generation robotaxi, the RT6, has been widely welcomed by riders in China for comfort, safety, and efficiency.

By 2026, Dubai’s streets could see fully driverless taxis becoming a familiar sight. Residents and visitors will be able to hail WeRide vehicles using Uber, while Baidu's Apollo Go app will offer another alternative.

Today's signing signals more than just a test run—it’s Dubai’s commitment to redefining urban mobility. With multiple global AV leaders now plugged into the city’s ecosystem, the emirate is positioning itself at the forefront of the driverless revolution in the region.