Dubai will have robotaxis on its roads ahead of 2026 launch

60 vehicles, including 50 by Baidu and 10 by WeRide are involved in the pilot tests. (Photo: Baidu)

Currently, a total of 60 vehicles, including 50 by Baidu and 10 by WeRide are involved in the pilot tests to assess the safety and readiness before the full public rollout, which is expected in the first quarter of 2026.

“The idea is to provide robotaxi services in Dubai by the first quarter of 2026. It will be commercially available to the public,” Al Awadhi told Gulf News.

Duabi’s bet on autonomous mobility

The self-driving cars were also featured at the ongoing Dubai World Congress and Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, where selected participants were given rides in Baidu’s robotaxis.

Autonomous vehicles, including self-driving cars and delivery vehicles, have been a key focus area for Dubai in recent years, and the city plans to have 25 per cent of its transportation smart and driverless by 2030.

Dubai unveils Autonomous Zone

On Wednesday, the city also unveiled a 15-kilometre area that will be dedicated as the Dubai Autonomous Zone, where people will be able to move between destinations using fully automated vehicles by land and water.

The idea is to provide robotaxi services in Dubai by the first quarter of 2026. (Photo: WeRide)

This will be made possible using the Dubai Metro, RoboTaxi, RoboBus, autonomous abra (boat), self-driving shuttle, as well as driverless logistics vehicles, and also autonomous sweepers.

“The Dubai Autonomous Zone is a look into the future of mobility in Dubai, where you will be able to move around (the dedicated zone) using multiple autonomous vehicles – whether it’s a taxi, shuttle bus, abra or marine transport, and of course, Dubai Metro. Everything will be connected while using autonomous transport – even the vehicle used for sweeping the road will be driverless,” Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency, told Khaleej Times.

While the driverless Dubai Metro has long been operational, the city plans to roll out the other self-driving vehicles starting in 2026.

“We will start gradually next year introducing the RoboTax service, then we will increase the coverage to other modes of autonomous until all seven of them will be completely operational by the middle of 2027,” he said.

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