Dubai Paves the Way for Driverless Autos

Dubai: The First Autonomous Vehicle Center Opens – Driverless Cars Soon on Roads

Dubai has proven yet again that the smart city concept is not just a vision, but an achievable future. In one of the UAE's most innovative cities, the first center dedicated to the operation and management of fully autonomous vehicles has opened, established by the tech giant Baidu's Apollo Go division at the Dubai Science Park. This 2000 square meter, state-of-the-art facility aims to prepare and ensure the future of autonomous transportation within Dubai.

A License that Signifies a Breakthrough

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) previously issued the first license allowing fully autonomous vehicles to be road-tested without the presence of a safety driver. This is not just a technological, but also a legal milestone, as it signifies that infrastructure, regulatory environment, and urban operations are ready for fully self-driving vehicles to appear on the roads.

This marks the first time that Baidu Apollo Go has opened such a facility outside of China, with the Dubai project specifically focusing on local applications and developments. During the first phase, more than 50 RT6 type self-driving vehicles conducted test runs on designated Dubai roads, and it is planned that commercial driverless travel will begin in the first quarter of 2026.

What Tasks Does the Center Perform?

The center is not just a warehouse or garage – it is more of an intelligent mobility center that comprehensively manages the daily operations of autonomous vehicles. The facility includes a simulation room, a training space, and maintenance and operational departments. The goal is for vehicle maintenance, charging, software updates, inspection, and management to occur in one place with maximum efficiency and safety.

The center supports executing safety tests and preparing test drivers, who still play a crucial role during the transition phase. Later, with fleet expansion and technology refinement, the necessity for human intervention will gradually decrease.

Over 240 Million Kilometers of Experience

Baidu Apollo Go is not a new player in the world of autonomous transportation. The company has traveled more than 240 million kilometers with autonomous vehicles worldwide, 140 million of which were in a completely driverless mode. This data is particularly important as it demonstrates that the system not only works excellently in a laboratory environment but also in real road conditions.

The company is present in 22 cities so far, with weekly trips exceeding 250,000. By October 31, 2025, they have conducted over 17 million trips, clearly indicating the system's scalability and reliability.

More than 1,000 Self-Driving Vehicles Could Arrive

In the coming years, Baidu Apollo Go plans to deploy more than 1,000 self-driving vehicles within Dubai. These vehicles could usher in a new era of taxi and chauffeur services, significantly reducing accidents due to human errors, while increasing the availability and efficiency of services.

Smart infrastructure – such as communicating traffic lights, 5G-based vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication – will play a key role in the seamless operation of the entire ecosystem. The RTA is already working on integrating many such systems.

Collaboration and Vision

The collaboration between Dubai and Baidu shows that the city is not just a technological showroom, but a real test lab for future transport solutions. RTA leaders have stated that developing autonomous transportation plays a crucial role in Dubai's long-term mobility strategy. The aim is for the city to become a leading player on a global scale in self-driving transportation and to set an example for other countries.

Dubai has created a regulatory environment and infrastructure that not only allows testing of future technologies but actively encourages them. The opening of the autonomous vehicle center marks the beginning of a new era – and is further proof that Dubai is the city of the future, not only in words but also in deeds.

Summary

The opening of the first autonomous vehicle center in Dubai is a step of historical significance in the advancement of transport technologies. The allowance of fully driverless testing, infrastructure development, and the upcoming commercial launch all indicate that autonomous mobility is no longer just a distant vision but part of the present. The joint project of Apollo Go and the RTA elevates not only Dubai but the entire region to a new level in technological innovations.

Thus, Dubai continues to set an example to the world in how to harmonize regulation, infrastructure, and the private sector to benefit everyone – residents, businesses, and future generations alike.

(Based on a Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announcement.)