Dubai to Launch Self-Driving Taxi Trials with Baidu Ahead of 2026 Rollout

The upcoming trials in Dubai will deploy 50 self-driving taxis because the city intends to operate a large-scale autonomous ride-hailing service by 2026. RTA collaborates with Apollo Go to launch the initiative which represents Baidu’s first international business expansion after China and Hong Kong.

RT6 model vehicles from Apollo Go function as the topmost version within the autonomous taxi fleet. Forty various sensors together with detectors work alongside these vehicles to achieve top safety and automatic operational standards. Baidu will launch the data testing phase this year while planning to build a fleet of 1,000 vehicles that depends on service efficiency alongside performance metrics.

By executing this move Dubai advances its Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy to achieve complete autonomous transportation for 25% of city journeys by 2030. The MoU with Baidu allows RTA Director General Mattar Al Tayer to advance their efforts in deploying advanced sustainable transport technologies according to him.

Baidu Apollo Go maintains operations across 20 cities worldwide where drivers have logged 150 million safe autonomous driving kilometers while accomplishing 10 million autonomous trips thus becoming the world leader in autonomous vehicle fleet operation. The Dubai trials exist to implement advanced capabilities that are similar to Baidu Apollo Go in the local region.

Public officials stressed that autonomous taxi services would produce multiple advantages which included better driving safety alongside greater transportation accessibility for both the elderly and children and better service performance. The tests will contribute to defining necessary regulations in addition to building out required infrastructure and optimizing operational procedures to establish wide-scale autonomous city implementation.

Dubai positions itself as a worldwide center for intelligent mobility advancement through this partnership which supports UAE goals for top-tier next-generation transportation solutions.