Self-driving taxis to transform Dubai's transport landscape by 2026

Self-driving taxis in Dubai will improve transport connectivity, reduce accidents, and begin trials in next year.

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Dubai is set to launch self-driving taxis by 2026, aiming to enhance road safety and connectivity.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has expanded its partnerships with autonomous driving technology providers including Uber, WeRide, and Baidu’s Apollo Go to bring autonomous vehicles (AVs) to the city.

This move is part of Dubai's broader strategy to make 25% of all journeys autonomous by 2030 and position the city as a global leader in future mobility.

The launch of these self-driving taxis will integrate with the city's public transport systems, improving first- and last-mile connectivity.

This initiative is expected to reduce traffic accidents by addressing human error, which is responsible for over 90% of road accidents.

Trials for the AV taxis will begin this year, with a driver behind the wheel during the testing phase, ahead of a fully driverless service launch in 2026.

In addition to its transportation goals, the project is part of Dubai's vision to become the world’s smartest city, focusing on safer roads and better mobility options for residents, including senior citizens and people of determination.