Self-Driving Taxis: Baidu Launches Future of Transportation

Self-Driving Taxis: Baidu Launches Future of Transportation

Dubai is taking another step towards the future by soon beginning the testing of self-driving taxis with the Apollo Go service from the Chinese company Baidu. The ambitious project aims to officially launch the mass use of driverless taxis across the emirate by 2026, befitting one of the world's most modern cities.

Testing Begins with 50 Vehicles – Goal of 1,000 Self-Driving Taxis

In the project's first phase, 50 self-driving taxis will begin operation soon, with plans to gradually expand to 1,000 over three years. The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) signed a cooperation agreement with the Chinese tech giant, enabling the large-scale introduction of the Apollo Go system.

The RT6 model included in the program is specifically designed for autonomous driving. These vehicles are equipped with 40 different sensors and detectors to meet the strictest safety and automation standards. The model has already proven itself in China, where millions of users have utilized it with satisfaction.

First International Expansion Beyond China

This will be Apollo Go's first international presence outside China and Hong Kong, with the technology's export taking place in Dubai for the first time. The company boasts over 150 million kilometers of safe driving experience and has completed more than 10 million autonomous trips, operating the world's largest autonomous vehicle fleet.

According to the head of the RTA, Dubai has long been preparing for the integration of autonomous technologies. The emirate aims to have 25% of all transport routes operating on autonomous systems by 2030. Testings and pilot projects have been underway since 2016 across the emirate, covering various vehicle types and transport modes.

Collaborations for the Future of Mobility

Baidu's project is not unique; the RTA has recently partnered with Uber and the Chinese company WeRide. This collaboration could lead to the introduction of self-driving vehicles through the Uber platform in Dubai. The Dubai Taxi Company also plans to launch its own driverless taxi service as early as next year.

Abu Dhabi is not left out of this development, with a commercial self-driving taxi service already in operation, launched jointly by Uber and WeRide. In the capital, Level 4 autonomy vehicles, which are fully self-driving but currently have a safety supervisor during the pilot phase, are already in use.

Freedom, Safety, Efficiency

Driverless transportation offers not only convenience and time savings but also a real opportunity for those currently unable or not eligible to drive, such as the elderly or children. Additionally, it contributes to reducing traffic accidents by eliminating human errors, thereby enhancing road safety.

The rapid development and integration of autonomous technologies indicate that Dubai is not just following but also dictating trends in transportation innovation. Self-driving taxis are not distant promises of the future but a current reality—and this reality will arrive on the emirate's roads within a few months.

(Source of the article is Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) release.)