Dubai is rapidly transforming into a major global arena for futuristic transport technology. With the opening of Apollo Go’s first operations center outside of China, the emirate is preparing to welcome a fleet of fully autonomous robotaxis, strengthening its position in the smart city race.
Article Contents:
- Introduction
- Strategic Expansion in the Middle East
- Dubai’s Smart Vision and Regulation
- Competition Heats Up in the Gulf
- Baidu’s Global Operations
- FAQs
Introduction
Apollo Go, the platform owned by Chinese tech giant Baidu, secured Dubai’s first permit to test a fully autonomous vehicle on Tuesday. The permit allows the company to operate fully autonomous vehicles on designated public roads without safety drivers behind the wheel. This achievement, announced at the opening of Apollo Go’s first overseas operations center, paves the way for the company to launch commercial robotaxi services in the emirate as early as the first quarter of 2026.
Strategic Expansion in the Middle East
The permit was officially issued by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) during the inauguration of “Apollo Go Park,” a 2,000-square-meter facility in downtown Dubai that integrates smart road infrastructure, charging stations, and maintenance facilities. The center is the company’s first operations hub outside China and is designed to support the planned expansion of the fleet to more than 1,000 fully autonomous vehicles in the coming years.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, stated that the opening of the center reflects the strong confidence of leading global companies in Dubai’s advanced regulatory environment.
Dubai’s Smart Vision and Regulation
This development builds on a strategic cooperation agreement signed between Apollo Go and the RTA in March 2025. In July 2025, the company secured Dubai’s first autonomous driving test permit alongside 50 testing licenses, and it has been testing a fleet of 50 vehicles on designated public roads since August.
Competition Heats Up in the Gulf
The Middle East has emerged as a key battleground for Chinese autonomous vehicle companies, driven by supportive regulations and ambitious smart city initiatives. Dubai aims for 25% of all trips to be autonomous by 2030. The region is witnessing intense competition, with rival firm WeRide launching fully autonomous commercial robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi in November 2025, while Pony.ai plans to launch similar services in Dubai by 2026.
Baidu’s Global Operations
Apollo Go operates globally across 22 cities and has completed more than 17 million cumulative trips as of October 2025. The platform’s weekly trips have exceeded 250,000, and its vehicles have recorded over 240 million autonomous driving kilometers, including more than 140 million kilometers in full autonomous driving mode.
FAQs
When will the robotaxi service start in Dubai?
Answer: Apollo Go’s commercial services are expected to launch in the first quarter of 2026.
Are there human drivers inside these cars?
Answer: No, the permit allows the operation of fully autonomous vehicles without a human safety driver inside the vehicle.
What is Dubai’s goal with this technology?
Answer: To achieve Dubai’s smart vision, which aims to convert 25% of total mobility trips in the emirate into autonomous trips by 2030.
