DUBAI: Driverless taxis are now officially running in Dubai, as Dubai Taxi Company partners with Baidu’s Apollo Go to launch fully autonomous ride-hailing services.
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What Happened
Dubai Taxi Company (DTC) and Baidu’s Apollo Go have started commercial driverless taxi services in the city.
This means passengers can now book taxis without a human driver using the Apollo Go app.
This is the first time the service is launched outside China, marking a major step for Dubai’s smart transport plans.
How the Driverless Taxi Works
Residents and visitors can book rides through the Apollo Go app, available on mobile devices.
Here’s what you need to know:
- No driver inside the vehicle
- Fully controlled by AI and sensors
- Tested for safety and reliability
- Will expand to other booking apps soon
The system uses advanced technology to drive, detect obstacles, and follow traffic rules.
Rollout Plan: From 50 to 1,000 Vehicles
The launch will start small but grow fast.
First phase: 50 driverless taxis
Future plan: Over 1,000 vehicles in the coming years
This supports Dubai’s goal to make 25% of all transport trips driverless by 2030.
Why This Matters
This move puts Dubai at the front of future transport technology.
Officials say the project will:
- Improve transport efficiency
- Reduce human error in driving
- Offer a new, tech-driven travel experience
For residents, this could mean faster and more consistent rides in the future.
Safety and Testing
Before the launch, the vehicles went through months of testing.
Earlier in 2026, Dubai also gave approval for fully driverless testing without a safety driver, showing strong confidence in the technology.
Globally, Apollo Go has already completed:
- Over 20 million rides
- More than 300 million kilometers of driving