Uber has launched Baidu’s Apollo Go fully driverless vehicles on its platform in Dubai, marking a major step in the expansion of autonomous mobility in the emirate.
The service is being operated by New Horizon Luxury Transport and forms the first stage of a multi-year strategic partnership between Uber and Baidu. Dubai will serve as the starting point for plans to introduce thousands of Apollo Go autonomous vehicles across Uber’s global network.
Riders requesting UberX or Uber Comfort in Dubai may now be matched with a fully driverless Apollo Go vehicle. Customers can also select a dedicated “Autonomous” option in the Uber app to increase their chances of securing a robotaxi.
At launch, the service will operate in selected areas of Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah, with plans to gradually expand its operating territory.
The service uses Apollo Go’s sixth-generation RT6, a purpose-built electric robotaxi designed specifically for fully autonomous operations. Each vehicle can accommodate up to three passengers and features more than 30 sensors to monitor its surroundings and process information in real time.
Apollo Go currently operates across 28 cities globally. Its fleets have accumulated more than 350 million autonomous kilometres, including over 240 million kilometres completed in fully driverless mode.
Uber said Dubai represents the first location where its multi-partner autonomous vehicle strategy is operating on public roads. Baidu also highlighted Dubai as the first international city where it has established both self-operated and partner-based autonomous ride-hailing services.
Safety remains a central part of the rollout, with Apollo Go vehicles required to meet Uber’s autonomous vehicle safety guidelines before joining the platform.
The launch further strengthens Dubai’s growing autonomous mobility ecosystem and provides residents with another option for fully driverless travel.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
