Dubai grants first permit to operate self-driving electric 'robo-taxis'

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that Baidu Apollo GO has been granted the first permit to pilot autonomous taxi services in the emirate.

The Authority has also issued 50 licences for testing on public roads, paving the way for the fleet to gradually expand to 1,000 fully electric vehicles by 2028. This is all part of Dubai's plan to transition to smart, sustainable transport.

Liang Zhang, General Manager for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region at Apollo Go, explained that actual trials of the sixth-generation (RT6) vehicles began on the streets of Jumeirah and selected areas in Dubai last August. He noted that this is the first time the fleet has been authorised to operate outside China and Hong Kong.

Zhang added, "This permit represents a historic moment in the development of smart transportation, establishing Dubai as a global leader in autonomous driving."

"We took a tour in one of the autonomous vehicles, which travelled safely and smoothly through the Jumeirah area. Although a driver was present, the vehicle navigated based on precise coordinates provided via a smart application, with no direct intervention required."

"We were given an in-depth look at the vehicle's capabilities, its high level of safety and how it interacts seamlessly with passengers through its smart systems," Zhang said.

Liam Jung, the managing director of Apollo Go, confirmed that the new vehicles are 100% electric and designed to advanced standards. They are also made entirely from Chinese components. He added that they are currently the only vehicles to offer all the features of an automated taxi.

They are equipped with smart screens that allow passengers to control all of the vehicle's features at the push of a button, including adjusting the temperature, starting the engine, activating health protection systems and operating autonomous driving. This ensures a safe and comfortable experience.

He added that the vehicle's structure is based on three levels: mechanical components, operational and electrical systems, and advanced sensors and software such as LiDAR systems.

The vehicle is also equipped with integrated backup systems to enhance safety. He also revealed that they are developing a smart application for booking 'robo-taxis', similar to global transportation apps, and are exploring the possibility of cooperating with local partners, such as Uber, to expand the service.

Khalid Al Awadhi, Director of Transportation Systems at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), revealed that three international companies will operate autonomous vehicles: Baidu, Waymo and KONE, announcing that commercial operations will begin in the first quarter of next year.

He added that the Dubai World Autonomous Transportation Conference saw the launch of the 'Dubai Autonomous Transportation District', a 15-square-kilometre area comprising six modes of autonomous transport, including buses and smart ferries integrated with the Dubai Metro network.

Apollo Go is the world's largest operator of autonomous vehicle fleets. To date, it has logged over 200 million kilometres of safe driving and completed 10 million autonomous trips in various Chinese cities. Its entry into the Dubai market represents a significant international expansion for the global smart transportation movement.