Dubai to start trialling self-driving taxis later this year
Dubai will start trialling self-driving taxis later this year under a new partnership between the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Uber Technologies and WeRide.
The vehicles will be available via the Uber app and will initially operate with a safety driver on board.
It will pave the way for the full-scale commercial rollout of driverless services in 2026, RTA announced on Sunday.
"The introduction of self-driving taxis will enhance quality of life for residents and visitors, boost road safety, and promote seamless integration across the public transport network by facilitating access to final destinations in line with the specialised First and Last-Mile Strategy," highlighted Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA.
It also represents "a significant leap towards a smart and sustainable future for mobility" and "supports the objectives of Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which seeks to convert 25 per cent of all mobility journeys in the emirate into autonomous trips by 2030".
Frans Hiemstra, Regional General Manager, MEA at Uber, added that the "strategic collaboration anchors (their) commitment to make autonomous vehicles more accessible to people around the world and we're excited to bring this experience to thousands of riders in Dubai later this year".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
13 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Traffic diversion on Al Qudra Road from June 22
Starting June 22, a temporary traffic diversion will be in place at the Arabian Ranches Junction, Dubai's Roads and Transports Authority (RTA) announced. The diversion will be implemented for 5 months as part of improving intersections on Al Qudra Road. The authority will carry out bridge construction works to enhance traffic flow. Some changes include: Road users should "plan trips in advance, head out early, and avoid peak hours," RTA added.
What's On
19 hours ago
- What's On
Public transport: Dubai to get 637 eco-friendly buses
Dubai's Road and Transport Authority (RTA) recently announced that its adding to its fleet of buses and have ordered 637 public buses to grace the roads of Dubai. The buses are worth a large Dhs1.1 billion and are sure to assist in the development of public transport around the city. The buses are scheduled for delivery in 2025 and 2026 and there will be various types including 40 electric ones. The announcement was shared after four major agreements were made and, H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA, witnessed the signing at UITP Global Public Transport Summit. RTA also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese company BYD, to pilot the operation of an electric bus equipped with the latest technologies and battery systems offered by the company. The trial will take place in Dubai over a period that includes the summer season. The buses will meet the European 'Euro 6' low-emission standards, highlighting the RTA's commitment to support Dubai's sustainability goals and aiming to have a 100% electric and hydrogen-powered public bus fleet by 2050. شهد معالي مطر الطاير المدير العام ورئيس مجلس المديرين في هيئة الطرق والمواصلات، على هامش مشاركة الهيئة في أعمال القمة العالمية للمواصلات العامة، توقيع أربع اتفاقيات توريد 637 حافلة متعددة الأحجام، مطابقة للمواصفات الأوروبية الخاصة بالانبعاثات الكربونية المنخفضة، 'يورو 6″، بينها… — RTA (@rta_dubai) June 19, 2025 RTA recently announced a bus pooling service for Dubai commuters. The service offers door-to-door service at affordable prices tailored to your daily routine, and delivered by fully licensed and RTA-regulated operators. The initiatives by RTA are mainly focused on improving the traffic flow around the city and making commuters lives easier. There are 40 places in Dubai to be improved over the summer as schools close and people jet off around the world. Image: Archive > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Dubai Eye
a day ago
- Dubai Eye
Dubai's RTA to get over 600 eco-friendly buses under AED 1.1 billion deal
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced plans to add 637 eco-friendly buses to its fleet after signing an agreement worth AED 1.1 billion at the UITP Global Public Transport Summit. The buses will meet the European 'Euro 6' low-emission standards, highlighting the RTA's commitment to support Dubai's sustainability goals transition towards a 100 per cent electric and hydrogen-powered public bus fleet by 2050. Deliveries are scheduled for 2025 and 2026, and also includes 40 electric buses, marking the country's "largest and first-of-its-kind order". The authority also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Build Your Dreams (BYD) to trial electric buses in the city. The e-buses will feature the latest battery systems and technologies developed by BYD.
