Picture Credit score : apollogo
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has recognized 65 areas throughout the emirate for the primary section of its driverless RoboTaxi rollout, marking a serious step towards absolutely autonomous public transport.
In accordance with an RTA video presentation, Part 1 will span two operational zones, with 17 areas in Zone One and 48 in Zone Two. Collectively, they symbolize the biggest community of public-road areas permitted to this point for autonomous taxi operations in Dubai.
Management centre opens at Dubai Science Park
The designated zones fall underneath the operational framework of Baidu Apollo Go, following the launch of its Autonomous Autos Operations and Management Centre at Dubai Science Park. The power is Baidu’s first such centre exterior China.
The management centre will handle the RoboTaxi fleet finish to finish, together with car upkeep, charging, software program updates and steady security monitoring. It’ll additionally allow real-time operational oversight as autonomous autos start working on public roads inside the permitted zones.
First absolutely driverless trials permitted
Dubai Roads and Transport Authority has issued the emirate’s first allow permitting absolutely autonomous car trials with out a security driver behind the wheel. The approval clears the best way for Apollo Go to maneuver towards business autonomous ride-hailing providers, focused for launch within the first quarter of 2026.
The 65 areas will function the inspiration for Apollo Go’s growth plans in Dubai, with the corporate aiming to scale its fleet to greater than 1,000 autonomous autos within the coming years.
Highway to business operations
The initiative builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed between RTA and Baidu in March 2025 to assist large-scale autonomous taxi deployment. In July 2025, Baidu obtained Dubai’s first autonomous driving trial allow, adopted by the rollout of pilot exams utilizing 50 RT6 autonomous autos in August.
These trials had been carried out on each closed and open roads in areas together with Dubai Silicon Oasis and Jumeirah. Business operations of the driverless taxi service stay topic to regulatory approvals and the profitable completion of ongoing trials, with the primary passenger providers anticipated in early 2026.
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