Driverless Uber rides in Dubai are now officially part of everyday travel, giving residents and visitors a new way to get around the city without a driver behind the wheel. From August 20, 2026, passengers can book Baidu’s fully autonomous Apollo Go robotaxis directly through the regular Uber app. The service is currently available in selected parts of Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim, adding another futuristic option to Dubai’s growing transport network.
How to book a driverless Uber in Dubai
There is no need to download a separate app to try the service. Passengers travelling within the eligible areas can open Uber and select the “Autonomous” option when requesting a ride.
Those booking UberX or Uber Comfort in the active zones may also be matched with an Apollo Go vehicle. If you specifically want a driverless ride, selecting the Autonomous option is the most direct way to request one.
The service currently operates in selected areas of Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim, with plans to expand the operating area in the future.
Meet the Apollo Go robotaxi
The new rides use Baidu’s Apollo Go RT6, a fully electric vehicle designed specifically for autonomous driving. It can accommodate up to three passengers, making it suitable for individuals or small groups.
Each vehicle uses more than 30 sensors, including cameras and lidar, to understand its surroundings and navigate the roads. Passengers can also access live support if they need assistance during their journey.
For riders, the process is designed to remain familiar. You book through Uber, meet the vehicle at your pickup point and travel to your destination. The biggest difference is simply that there is no driver in the front seat.
Dubai’s driverless taxi network is growing
Apollo Go is not the first autonomous taxi service to operate in Dubai. WeRide is also providing fully driverless rides through Uber, making the city an early example of a multi-partner autonomous transport network.
The latest launch means passengers can access different autonomous operators through the same familiar ride-hailing platform. Earlier autonomous services also included pilot phases involving safety drivers or separate booking platforms.
According to figures cited by Dubai Media Office, robotaxi operations in the emirate have already covered more than four million kilometres and recorded 7,613 passenger trips since their launch.
What comes next for autonomous travel?
The expansion is part of Dubai’s wider Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to make 25 per cent of transportation journeys autonomous by 2030.
For passengers, that ambition is becoming increasingly visible in everyday life. A driverless car arriving for an Uber pickup may still feel unusual, but services like Apollo Go and WeRide are gradually making autonomous travel a more familiar part of moving around the city. For now, Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim are the places to look if you want to experience the technology for yourself. Your next Uber could arrive without anyone sitting behind the wheel.
