By Staff Reporter
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced strategic partnerships with Uber Technologies (NYSE: UBER), WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD), and China’s Baidu (Apollo Go) to deploy autonomous taxis across the city.
This initiative aligns with Dubai’s ambition to establish itself as a global leader in smart mobility and achieve its goal of making 25% of all city journeys autonomous by 2030.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, emphasized the significance of these collaborations, stating,
“These partnerships mark a crucial step in advancing Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy. The introduction of autonomous taxis will enhance first and last-mile connectivity and improve road safety by reducing human errors, which account for over 90% of traffic accidents.”
The deployment of these vehicles will begin with pilot trials in 2024, featuring a safety driver onboard, ahead of a fully driverless commercial launch in 2026. This marks a major milestone in Dubai’s efforts to integrate autonomous mobility into its public transport system.
Baidu’s Apollo Go, the largest operator of driverless fleets globally, will commercialize its services in Dubai as part of its biggest international expansion outside China. Dr. Wang Yunpeng, Baidu’s Corporate Vice President, expressed confidence in Dubai’s vision for future mobility, highlighting the city’s commitment to innovation and smart transport solutions.
Uber’s Global Head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery Operations, Noah Zych, also underscored the company’s excitement about partnering with RTA, noting that this move aligns with Uber’s broader goal of scaling autonomous ride-hailing worldwide. Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer of WeRide, echoed this sentiment, stating that Dubai represents a key market for the company’s expansion in the Middle East.
As autonomous vehicle trials commence, Dubai continues to solidify its position as a pioneer in smart mobility, reinforcing its reputation as one of the world’s most forward-thinking cities.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
