Dubai has expanded access to its driverless taxi network by making Baidu Apollo Go’s fully autonomous vehicles available through Uber. The service is being offered in selected areas, including Jumeirah, with New Horizon Luxury Transport operating the Apollo Go fleet. The development matters because it brings autonomous rides onto a familiar ride-hailing platform as Dubai works towards making 25% of all transportation trips autonomous by 2030.
- Location: Selected areas of Dubai, including Jumeirah
- Organisations: RTA, Uber and Baidu Apollo Go
- Status: Fully driverless Apollo Go rides are available through Uber
- Who is affected: Uber riders whose trips fall within the eligible service area
- Business impact: Expands access to Dubai’s growing autonomous transport network
- What’s next: Dubai plans to scale autonomous transport as part of its 2030 mobility target
Dubai driverless taxis can now be booked through Uber, making autonomous transport easier to access for riders in eligible areas. The latest development was announced as Baidu Apollo Go’s fully driverless vehicles became available on the Uber platform in Dubai, with New Horizon Luxury Transport operating the fleet.
For passengers, the process is similar to booking a regular Uber. If a journey is eligible, riders can see an “Autonomous” option in the app and may be matched with an Apollo Go vehicle. The move comes as Dubai continues expanding its self-driving transport network and works towards its target of making 25% of all transportation trips autonomous by 2030.
How can passengers book a driverless taxi on Uber in Dubai?
Passengers can request an autonomous ride directly through the Uber app when the trip falls within the eligible service area.
After entering the pickup point and destination, an “Autonomous” option may appear. Uber and Baidu previously said eligible riders could also be matched with an Apollo Go vehicle when booking qualifying UberX or Uber Comfort trips. Availability depends on the route and operating conditions.
Once the vehicle arrives, passengers should check the vehicle details and licence plate against the information shown in the app. The Uber app then provides instructions for accessing the vehicle.
The experience is designed to work much like a normal ride, except there is no driver behind the wheel.
Where are Dubai’s Apollo Go driverless taxis operating?
Apollo Go vehicles are currently available in selected areas of Dubai, with Jumeirah forming part of the service area announced for the Uber rollout. Uber and Baidu initially said the deployment would begin in select Jumeirah locations and expand based on operational experience and regulatory approvals.
RTA had already launched commercial autonomous taxi operations in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim in March 2026, working with Apollo Go and WeRide. RTA said the first commercial phase involved 100 autonomous taxis, with plans for gradual expansion.
That means riders should not expect every Uber journey in Dubai to offer a driverless vehicle. The option depends on whether both the pickup and destination fall within the active service area and whether an autonomous vehicle is available.
What is the Apollo Go RT6 used in Dubai?
The Apollo Go vehicle operating in Dubai is the sixth-generation RT6, a purpose-built autonomous taxi developed by Baidu.
RTA says the vehicle uses artificial intelligence, advanced sensing technology and autonomous decision-making systems. It is equipped with more than 40 sensors, including high-precision LiDAR, multi-band radar and advanced cameras.
These systems allow the vehicle to detect and respond to its surroundings, including pedestrians, intersections and other vehicles, while operating on roads shared with regular traffic.
Dubai officially launched operations of the fully autonomous RT6 in February 2026. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum experienced a ride in the vehicle as part of the launch, marking a major step in the emirate’s move from testing towards public autonomous transport.
How far has Dubai’s driverless taxi programme come?
The latest figures show that autonomous taxis are already moving beyond the testing stage.
According to the Dubai Media Office, Robotaxi operations had recorded more than 4 million kilometres and 7,613 passenger trips by August 19, 2026. The current Robotaxi fleet stood at 144 vehicles, including 48 in active operation, with around 50 trips taking place each day. The programme had also recorded a 97% customer satisfaction rate.
Dubai’s autonomous mobility programme involves more than Apollo Go. RTA is also working with WeRide and Pony.ai, creating a wider ecosystem of autonomous transport providers in the emirate.
The development also comes as Dubai’s wider transport network handles growing demand. Public transport, shared mobility and taxis carried 348 million riders during the first half of 2026, according to the Dubai Media Office, with average daily ridership reaching 1.9 million.
Why It Matters?
For Dubai residents and visitors, the biggest change is convenience. Riders no longer necessarily need a separate autonomous mobility platform to experience an Apollo Go vehicle. Bringing driverless taxis onto Uber places the service inside an app many passengers already use.
The development could also help Dubai gradually integrate autonomous vehicles into its existing transport network rather than treating them as a standalone technology.
For businesses and the tourism sector, autonomous taxis add another technology-led mobility option for getting around the city. However, the service is still operating within defined areas, so conventional taxis, public transport and regular ride-hailing services remain important parts of Dubai’s transport system.
RTA’s wider strategy is even more ambitious. Dubai aims to increase the share of transportation trips made through autonomous transport to 25% by 2030 and 36% by 2040.
What happens next for Dubai’s driverless taxis?
The next phase is expected to focus on expanding autonomous services and integrating them more closely with Dubai’s wider mobility network.
The latest Robotaxi figures indicate that the emirate is already collecting millions of kilometres of real-world operating experience. RTA’s partnerships with Apollo Go, WeRide and Pony.ai are also designed to support the gradual expansion of autonomous transport across Dubai.
For Uber users, the immediate change is simpler: an autonomous ride can now appear as a booking option when a trip qualifies.
FAQs
Can you book a driverless taxi through Uber in Dubai?
Yes. Baidu Apollo Go’s fully driverless vehicles are now available to eligible riders through Uber in selected areas of Dubai. The “Autonomous” option appears when a journey qualifies.
Where can I take an Apollo Go driverless taxi?
The Uber rollout began in selected Jumeirah locations. RTA’s broader commercial autonomous taxi service also operates in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim. Availability depends on the specific trip and active operating area.
Is there a driver inside the Apollo Go taxi?
The Apollo Go vehicles being offered through Uber are fully driverless autonomous vehicles. They use onboard AI, sensors and autonomous decision-making technology to navigate the road.
How many sensors does the Apollo Go RT6 have?
RTA says the RT6 is equipped with more than 40 sensors, including LiDAR, radar and advanced cameras.
What is Dubai’s autonomous transport target?
Dubai aims to make 25% of all transportation trips autonomous by 2030, rising to 36% by 2040.
Dubai’s driverless taxi rollout is entering a more accessible phase as Apollo Go vehicles become available through Uber. For eligible riders, the technology can now be booked through a familiar platform, while RTA continues expanding the wider autonomous transport network. With millions of kilometres already covered and a long-term 2030 target in place, driverless taxis are becoming an increasingly visible part of Dubai’s future mobility plans.
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