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".