The driverless taxi Dubai programme has entered a new phase, with residents and visitors now able to book an autonomous taxi ride for just AED 5. After initially offering free rides as part of a public trial, Dubai’s autonomous taxi service is now available as a paid option in selected parts of the city.
Currently operating in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim, the service gives passengers a chance to experience driverless technology at a very accessible price. While autonomous vehicles may have once felt like something from the future, they are gradually becoming part of everyday life in Dubai as the city continues to invest in smart mobility solutions.
The service is operated by Dubai Taxi Company in partnership with Apollo Go, the autonomous ride-hailing platform developed by Chinese technology company Baidu.
How to Book a Driverless Taxi in Dubai
Booking a ride is simple. Passengers can download the Apollo Go app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and request a trip within the designated operating areas.
The app is currently the only way to access the service, although booking options are expected to expand in the future. As the programme grows, autonomous taxis are likely to become available through additional ride-hailing platforms, making them easier for residents and visitors to use.
Dubai’s launch is also significant because it marks the first international deployment of the Apollo Go ride-hailing application, highlighting the emirate’s position as a testing ground for emerging transport technologies.
What the Expansion Means for Dubai’s Transport Future
The paid launch follows months of testing focused on safety, reliability and operational performance. Earlier this year, Apollo Go received Dubai’s first permit allowing fully autonomous vehicle testing without a safety driver on board, a major milestone for the programme.
Dubai Taxi Company plans to introduce 50 autonomous vehicles during the first year of operations, with plans to gradually increase the fleet to more than 1,000 vehicles in the years ahead. The company will oversee operations using its existing transport network and monitoring systems.
The rollout forms part of Dubai’s wider Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to make 25 per cent of all journeys in the emirate autonomous by 2030.
For now, the AED 5 fare offers something few cities can match: the opportunity to experience a driverless taxi ride for less than the cost of a coffee. As the network expands, autonomous transport could soon become a familiar part of getting around Dubai.
