Expansion of Autonomous Taxi Fleet in Dubai's Global Mobility Initiative
Dubai, the city known for its forward-thinking approach, is taking significant strides towards autonomous mobility. Dr. Wang Yunpeng has highlighted the city's commitment to innovative transport solutions, with a focus on smart transport solutions.
One of the most promising developments is the expansion of autonomous taxi services in the UAE region. Partners such as Uber and WeRide are actively involved in this initiative, with full-scale commercial robotaxi services on the rise. Although the specific inclusion of Dubai is yet to be confirmed, it is planned for the near future.
The autonomous taxi service has already made its debut in Abu Dhabi since December 2024, through a partnership with Uber, WeRide, and Tawasul Transport. The service has since expanded to Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands by mid-2025. WeRide and Uber aim for a full-scale commercial Robotaxi launch in the region by the end of 2025, initially confirmed for Saudi Arabia. This initiative is set to extend to Abu Dhabi and is planned to reach Dubai soon.
Dubai itself is leading the way in another futuristic urban mobility project: aerial electric flying taxis. Operated by Joby Aviation, these taxis are expected to be commercially operational by 2026, marking Dubai as a pioneer in smart mobility.
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has formed strategic partnerships with Uber Technologies, WeRide, and China's Baidu (Apollo Go) to deploy autonomous taxis in the city. The deployment of autonomous vehicles will start with pilot trials in 2024, initially featuring a safety driver onboard.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, has emphasized the importance of these collaborations. Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer of WeRide, has stated that Dubai represents a key market for the company's expansion in the Middle East. This partnership aligns with Uber's broader goal of scaling autonomous ride-hailing worldwide.
Dr. Wang Yunpeng, Baidu's Corporate Vice President, has expressed confidence in Dubai's vision for future mobility. Uber's Global Head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery Operations, Noah Zych, has also expressed excitement about partnering with RTA.
This initiative is in line with Dubai's goal of becoming a global leader in smart mobility. Dubai aims to make 25% of all city journeys autonomous by 2030, with the fully driverless commercial launch of autonomous taxis planned for 2026.
The news source for this article is Dubai Media Office. This marks a significant milestone in Dubai's efforts to integrate autonomous mobility into its public transport system, reinforcing its reputation as one of the world's most forward-thinking cities.
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