Dubai: Dubai Taxi Company PJSC, in collaboration with Baidu Inc. through its autonomous ride-hailing platform Apollo Go, has initiated driverless commercial ride-hailing taxi services in Dubai via the Apollo Go app. This venture signifies the platform's first international app deployment, marking a significant milestone in the region.
According to Emirates News Agency, this strategic partnership merges Apollo Go's advanced autonomous technology with Dubai Taxi Company's (DTC) extensive local operational knowledge. This collaboration leverages DTC's status as the emirate's foremost mobility provider and largest taxi and limousine fleet operator to facilitate the service rollout.
The introduction of commercial driverless taxis aligns with Dubai's Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to transform 25 percent of all transportation trips into smart and driverless journeys by 2030. Initially, the rollout will commence with 50 vehicles in the first year, with plans to gradually expand the fleet to over 1,000 driverless vehicles in the coming years. This move further solidifies Dubai Taxi Company's position at the forefront of next-generation mobility solutions.
Residents and visitors can book these driverless rides through the Apollo Go app, available on both the Play Store and App Store. As the rollout progresses, booking services will also extend to Bolt and other e-hail providers.
"Our partnership with DTC represents a new chapter for autonomous mobility in Dubai. By combining our cutting-edge technology with DTC's local expertise, and through the launch of the Apollo Go app, our first international app deployment, we are creating a safe, efficient and scalable ride-hailing service that sets a new standard for the region. We are proud to contribute to Dubai's vision for smart, future-ready transportation," said Nan Yang, Vice President of Baidu and General Manager of Overseas Business Unit, Intelligent Driving Group.
Mansoor Rahma Alfalasi, Group CEO of DTC, expressed, "Dubai Taxi Company is proud and excited to be among the first entities to roll out the operations of driverless taxis in Dubai, marking a significant milestone in advancing the emirate's vision for smart and sustainable mobility. This initiative is in line with DTC's innovation-driven strategy and its commitment to delivering future-ready services that elevate the customer experience. We are grateful to our strategic partner, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), for their unwavering support and the development of a comprehensive infrastructure that enables the seamless deployment of driverless taxis, aligned with the ambition of transforming 25 percent of all transportation trips into smart and driverless journeys by 2030."
He added, "We are equally proud to partner with Baidu Inc. to bring this future-forward technology to life, combining global innovation with Dubai's pioneering spirit. The successful trials conducted over the past few months have demonstrated the vehicles' readiness, particularly in terms of safety, reliability and operational efficiency, reinforcing our confidence in scaling this initiative."
Today, Dubai Taxi Company is recognized as Dubai's leading comprehensive mobility provider, with a fleet of over 6,000 taxis and limousines and backed by more than three decades of experience. DTC is well-positioned to lead the large-scale operation of driverless vehicles.
Utilizing its advanced monitoring systems and technology-enabled, data-driven operations, DTC will ensure that every journey is safe, reliable, and seamless, reinforcing its leadership in managing the future of autonomous mobility.
This commercial launch follows a key milestone earlier this year. In January 2026, Apollo Go received Dubai's first-ever driverless testing permit for fully autonomous vehicles without a safety driver. This regulatory approval allows Baidu to operate fully autonomous ride-hailing services in Dubai, positioning the city as a strategic hub for autonomous mobility innovation.
Also in January 2026, Baidu inaugurated the Apollo Go Park in Dubai, serving as the company's first overseas operations and management hub, supporting plans for a fleet of over 1,000 autonomous vehicles in the coming years.
Dubai marks a key strategic hub in Apollo Go's expanding global network. As of February 2026, Apollo Go has completed over 20 million rides worldwide, with weekly rides peaking at more than 300,000 during Q4 2025. Its fleets have accumulated over 300 million autonomous kilometers, including more than 190 million kilometers of fully driverless operations, maintaining an outstanding safety record.