Dubai is officially stepping into the future. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the Phase 1 rollout of its much-anticipated driverless robotaxi service. In partnership with the US-based autonomous vehicle company Cruise, these self-driving cars are no longer just a concept seen at exhibitions, they are now part of the city’s transport fabric.This initial launch covers 65 key locations, primarily concentrated in the Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim areas. This strategic move is the first major milestone in Dubai’s ambitious goal to convert 25% of all transportation trips to self-driving modes by 2030, positioning the city as a global leader in smart mobility.
What is Dubai’s RoboTaxi project?
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled the Phase 1 rollout of driverless RoboTaxis, a major milestone in the emirate’s vision for smart, autonomous transport. Under this phase, 65 public locations across two main zones in the city have been mapped out where autonomous robotaxis will begin operations.These zones include 17 key spots in Zone One and 48 in Zone Two, forming the foundation for autonomous mobility on public roads ahead of a broader commercial launch targeted for early 2026.This rollout forms part of Dubai’s broader Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to have 25% of all trips in the city made using autonomous vehicles by 2030.The 65 locations are divided into two primary operational zones, focusing on high-traffic tourist, commercial, and residential hubs.
| Zone | Number of Locations | Primary Coverage Areas |
| Zone One | 17 | Jumeirah 1, 2, and 3, Al Wasl, and the Etihad Museum corridor. |
| Zone Two | 48 | Umm Suqeim 1, 2, and 3, Al Manara, Al Safa, and coastal residential districts. |
| Total | 65 | Integrated across the 15km autonomous transport corridor. |
How the driverless taxi system works?
At the heart of this initiative is Baidu Apollo Go’s autonomous vehicle programme, supported by a new Autonomous Vehicles Operations and Control Centre at Dubai Science Park, the company’s first such hub outside China.This 2,000-square-metre centre will manage the RoboTaxi fleet day-to-day, including real-time monitoring, maintenance, software updates, charging, safety oversight and operations.RTA has granted Baidu Apollo Go a first-of-its-kind permit in Dubai that allows fully autonomous vehicles to operate on public roads without a safety driver, a major leap forward in commercial autonomous deployments.In addition, international tech companies like WeRide and Uber have launched public test services where riders can book robotaxis via the Uber app in parts of Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim, marking the beginning of broader autonomous ride-hailing trials.
Pick-up and drop-off
While the RTA designates “locations” as specific high-precision pick-up and drop-off points, they are clustered around these major landmarks and neighborhoods:
| District | Key Landmarks & Hubs |
| Jumeirah (1, 2, 3) | Etihad Museum, La Mer Beach, Mercato Mall, Jumeirah Mosque. |
| Al Wasl / City Walk | Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk, Galleria Mall, Box Park. |
| Umm Suqeim | Kite Beach, Burj Al Arab (surrounding area), Umm Suqeim Public Beach. |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | Integrated trial zones and tech hubs. |
| Smart Mobility Zone | Al Jaddaf Metro Station, Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Festival City. |
| Residential Hubs | Al Manara, Al Safa, Za’abeel First. |
Where you’ll see RoboTaxis first?
The initial phase maps dozens of locations across central and residential districts of Dubai, covering major roads and high-traffic zones.Trials have been conducted in areas such as Jumeirah, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and other designated routes, with safety drivers on board during testing.Officials say that once tests are successfully completed and regulatory approvals are in place, fully autonomous robotaxis will begin serving the public without onboard drivers.Separately, WeRide and Uber’s trial phase in select Beachside and residential zones already allows users to experience autonomous rides booked through the Uber app before the full driverless service begins.
