Commencement of commercial operation of the self-driving taxi service in the Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah regions through the “Apollo Go” and “Uber” applications.

The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai announced the start of commercial operation of the self-driving taxi service for the public in the Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah areas, in partnership with Apollo Go, and WeRide, a global specialist in self-driving technologies.
WeRide vehicles will be available through the Uber application, with Tawasul Transportation Company assuming the responsibility of managing and operating the fleet, while Apollo Go, a subsidiary of Baidu, will provide a self-driving transportation service through the Apollo Go application, in cooperation with Dubai Taxi Company to support local operations. In a step that reflects Dubai’s approach to adopting smart mobility solutions, and its commitment to transforming visions and strategies into projects and initiatives implemented on the ground.

The start of commercial operation reflects Dubai’s position as an ideal destination for expanding the services of international companies specialized in self-driving thanks to the advanced infrastructure, clear vision, and smart infrastructure readiness, which supports achieving the goals of the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy, and enhances Dubai’s leadership position as a leading global city that is proactive in adopting future transportation solutions.
Apollo Go and WeRide vehicles are available in the Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah areas in the Emirate of Dubai via the Uber application and the Apollo Go application, which are among the most lively areas close to public beaches in Dubai, where users can book trips through both applications.

The first phase of the commercial operation of the service includes the gradual introduction of 100 self-driving taxis into the transportation system in Dubai, with the fleet gradually expanding in the coming years, to keep pace with the growing demand for smart mobility solutions and enhance the emirate’s direction towards a future that relies more on advanced technologies in the transportation sector.

The past period witnessed the implementation of a series of operational trials of autonomous vehicles on specific roads in the Emirate of Dubai, in order to test the efficiency of the technical systems and ensure their readiness to operate within the traffic environment in Dubai in accordance with the highest standards of safety and operation.

Self-driving vehicles rely on artificial intelligence, advanced sensor technologies, and autonomous decision-making systems, ensuring safe and smooth transportation within a real urban environment and on roads open to traffic. It also works through an integrated software system that relies on artificial intelligence, high-resolution digital maps, and deep learning algorithms, allowing it to analyze data instantly, make appropriate decisions while driving, and interact with various traffic variables such as intersections, traffic signals, pedestrians, and other vehicles, while adhering to traffic laws.

Autonomous vehicles are based on extensive operational experience. For example: the operating company’s vehicles have traveled more than 150 million kilometers of safe driving, and carried out more than 10 million self-driving trips in a number of cities around the world, which has contributed to the development of advanced operational models that can be expanded into commercial operation.