Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched public operations of its autonomous taxi service, allowing residents to book free driverless rides in Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah as the emirate accelerates its transition to smart mobility.

The pilot service is operated in partnership with Apollo Go and autonomous driving technology company WeRide. Passengers can reserve autonomous vehicles through the Uber and Apollo Go mobile applications.

Free Driverless Rides Now Available

Announcing the launch on social media, the RTA invited residents to experience the new technology, saying: “Your next ride could be autonomous, and it’s currently free.”

The initial service covers the Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah districts, with the fleet expected to grow gradually over the coming years as demand for autonomous mobility increases.

Supporting Dubai’s Smart Mobility Vision

The rollout forms part of the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to expand the adoption of autonomous transportation across the emirate and position Dubai among the world’s leading cities for future mobility.

According to the RTA, the initiative reinforces Dubai’s status as a global hub for autonomous driving technologies, supported by advanced infrastructure, a dedicated regulatory framework and intelligent transport systems.

Autonomous Transport Expansion

The collaboration with Apollo Go and WeRide marks another milestone in Dubai’s efforts to integrate self-driving vehicles into its public transport network. By working with international technology partners, the RTA aims to provide safe, efficient and sustainable mobility options while preparing the city’s transport ecosystem for wider autonomous vehicle deployment.

Residents can currently enjoy the service free of charge by booking through the Uber or Apollo Go apps, offering an opportunity to experience driverless transportation before commercial operations are expanded in the future.