Dubai has launched driverless taxis, initially serving Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah.

Passengers can book free rides through the Apollo Go app for a limited period, or choose the ‘Autonomous’ option on the Uber app, with fares ranging from Dhs63 to Dhs80.

The Dubai Taxi Company, in partnership with Chinese firm Baidu, which operates Apollo Go, has deployed fully autonomous vehicles.

Some trips may include a safety specialist, but vehicles operate without a driver, using artificial intelligence, advanced sensing systems, and real-time decision-making technologies.

Following trials with Uber and WeRide since April 2025, 100 autonomous taxis are currently part of Dubai’s transport network.

Vehicles are designed to navigate urban traffic, respond to pedestrians and signals, and comply with traffic regulations, according TimeOut Dubai.

The initiative is part of the Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy, which aims for 25% of public transport journeys to be driverless by 2030.

The strategy estimates a potential 12% reduction in traffic accidents and a 13% increase in productivity, alongside financial savings and reduced environmental impact.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of the RTA, said:

“Autonomous taxis contribute to first- and last-mile connectivity and provide transport options for different segments of the community, including senior citizens and people of determination. They also aim to improve road safety, as human error accounts for over 90% of traffic accidents.”

Plans are in place to expand the driverless fleet to 4,000 vehicles over time, with the goal of integrating them further into Dubai’s wider transport network.

Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News UAE, based on image CHRIS LEE via Freepik