Dubai has launched free autonomous taxi rides in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim, allowing passengers to book fully driverless vehicles through the Uber and Apollo Go apps.
WEBDESK – SHARJAH NEWS – AB
Dubai has taken another major step towards the future of urban mobility by launching free autonomous taxi rides for the public in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim, giving residents and visitors the opportunity to experience fully driverless transport at no cost.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Wednesday that the service is now available through the Uber and Apollo Go mobile applications as part of the emirate’s commercial rollout of autonomous taxis.
The initiative forms part of the first phase of Dubai’s self-driving taxi program, which currently includes 100 autonomous vehicles operated through partnerships with Apollo Go and WeRide. While WeRide vehicles are booked through Uber, Apollo Go passengers use the company’s dedicated app. Dubai Taxi Company provides local operational support for Apollo Go, while Tawasul Transport manages WeRide’s fleet.
Passengers requesting a ride through Uber can select the Autonomous option when available and will be matched with a WeRide vehicle operating within the designated service area. Apollo Go continues to manage bookings directly through its own application.
Unlike earlier pilot programmes, which included a safety specialist onboard, the newly launched service operates without a human driver, marking Dubai’s transition to fully autonomous commercial taxi operations.
The initial operating zone covers the coastal districts of Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim, popular destinations known for their beaches and residential communities. The RTA has not yet announced operating hours, future expansion areas or how long the complimentary rides will remain available.
The autonomous vehicles rely on advanced artificial intelligence, high-definition mapping, sensors and deep-learning algorithms to navigate Dubai’s roads. The systems continuously analyse traffic signals, intersections, pedestrians and surrounding vehicles, allowing the taxis to make driving decisions in real time while complying with local traffic regulations.
Apollo Go’s RT6 robotaxis are equipped with 40 sensors and detection systems and had collectively logged more than 150 million kilometres of safe autonomous driving worldwide before entering Dubai’s commercial network. The company has also completed over 10 million driverless trips globally. Meanwhile, WeRide has deployed around 150 autonomous vehicles across the Middle East, including more than 100 robotaxis.
Dubai began testing autonomous vehicles on selected roads before launching commercial operations on March 30, 2026. By late 2025, more than 60 autonomous vehicles from Apollo Go, WeRide and Pony.ai had already been operating in controlled trials across Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim.
The initiative supports Dubai’s ambitious Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims for 25% of all journeys across the emirate to be autonomous by 2030. Authorities plan to gradually expand the fleet based on passenger demand, operational performance and regulatory readiness.
According to the RTA, the first commercial phase includes 100 autonomous taxis, with long-term plans to deploy up to 1,000 Apollo Go vehicles over the next three years. As Dubai’s population continues to grow, officials say autonomous transport will play an increasingly important role in improving mobility, reducing congestion and shaping the future of smart transportation in the emirate.
