RTA to launch operational trials of 50 self-driving taxis

Apollo Go will begin the experimental operation of autonomous vehicles in the coming months, paving the way for the official public launch of the service in 2026

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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Baidu’s Apollo Go, a global leader in autonomous transport solutions, to roll out autonomous taxis on a large scale across the emirate.

The company will begin the experimental operation of 50 autonomous vehicles in the coming months, paving the way for the official public launch of the service in 2026.

The MoU was signed in a ceremony attended by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), and Halton Niu, General Manager of Overseas Business at Baidu’s Intelligent Driving group (IDG).

On behalf of the RTA, the MoU was signed by Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, while Liang Zhang, General Manager of Overseas Business, MENA, Baidu Intelligent Driving Group, signed on behalf of Baidu. Several representatives from both parties were also present.

Under the terms of the MoU, Baidu’s Apollo Go will deploy the sixth also the latest generation of its autonomous taxis RT6, specifically designed for autonomous mobility services.