Dubai puts self-driving artificial intelligence cars on the streets: Baidu, Uber’s Apollo Go goes online in the emirate of the United Arab Emirates

Dubai is taking a big step towards the next generation of mobility, with the city about to launch a fully autonomous ride-hailing service through a high-profile partnership between Baidu’s Apollo Go self-driving car platform and a Dubai-based company. Uber. This cutting-edge mobility option, supported by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), will soon begin operations in Dubai’s Jumeirah area, making it one of the first cities in the world to offer robo-taxi services at scale via a mainstream app.

What’s happening: Apollo Go meets Uber in Dubai

The deal brings Baidu’s Apollo Go autonomous ride-hailing service to the Uber platform, allowing passengers in Dubai to book self-driving vehicles just like regular Uber rides. Riders will use the familiar Uber app to request a self-driving trip by selecting the “auto” option or booking through UberX or Uber Comfort and being matched with an Apollo Go vehicle.

This operational deployment represents a new phase in autonomous mobility: Once initial deployment is complete and final regulatory approvals are received, the vehicles are expected to be fully autonomous, eliminating the need for a human safety driver.

From testing to public roads: Dubai’s groundbreaking initiative

Baidu’s Apollo Go had laid the groundwork long before this launch. In late 2025, it received Dubai’s first fully driverless test license from the RTA and conducted open road trials with its fleet. The license marks the first time a company has been authorized to conduct fully driverless autonomous vehicle operations in the city.

Dubai also opened a dedicated autonomous vehicle operations center, Apollo Go’s first outside China, to support testing, maintenance, safety systems and fleet control. The plan is to expand the service over time and hopes to expand the self-driving fleet to more than 1,000 vehicles in the coming years as part of the city’s broader transportation vision.The new services launched in Dubai are not only novel, but are part of a strategic effort to modernize transport infrastructure and create a smarter, safer and more efficient urban transport ecosystem –

This deployment marks a compelling example of how cities are leveraging artificial intelligence, sensors, advanced decision-making systems and smart infrastructure to improve daily mobility for residents and visitors.

What to expect as a self-drive traveler in Dubai

Initially, autonomous vehicles will provide services in key areas such as the Jumeirah area, with coverage expanding as early operational data and regulatory frameworks develop. Over time, the project is expected to become more seamless, with autonomous vehicles operating in wider urban areas.Passengers will enjoy:

The launch of the self-driving rides service comes after years of groundwork, including a safety driver pilot program and other self-driving car initiatives. Dubai is not the only city piloting such services, with many leading high-tech cities testing various versions of robotaxis, but integrating them into mainstream ride-hailing platforms at this level makes Dubai a global leader in real-world autonomous driving deployments.The plan also builds on the UAE’s broader progress, including other autonomous services and smart city innovation initiatives, which position the UAE as a global hub for future mobility and technology commercialization.

Own drive Challenges and considerations for Dubai

Despite the enthusiasm, self-driving ride-hailing still faces obstacles –

The Apollo Go autonomous ride-hailing service launched through Uber combines artificial intelligence-powered vehicles, strategic government support and world-class infrastructure and is a major milestone in the development of urban transportation. As the service transitions from pilot to public launch in 2026, it has the potential to redefine how people move around the city, reducing reliance on traditional drivers and turning Dubai’s smart city vision into reality.