Dubai backs robotaxis: WeRide & Uber join RTA pilot after Apollo Go deal

Dubai is doubling down on robotaxis. Uber and WeRide have partnered with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to pilot autonomous taxis on city streets – just days after the RTA signed a similar agreement with China’s Apollo Go.

This follows WeRide and Uber’s earlier rollout of driverless taxi services in Abu Dhabi, where they launched commercially in December 2024 after trials dating back to 2021.

WeRide, the first company to receive a UAE national self-driving license, brings regional credibility and international scale, operating in 30+ cities globally.

Dubai’s shift to a multi-vendor strategy – following setbacks with GM’s Cruise – suggests a broader commitment to autonomous mobility.

Apollo Go has committed to deploying 100 robotaxis in Dubai by end-2025 (scaling to 1,000 by 2028), while WeRide has yet to announce fleet numbers.

The moves across both emirates support Dubai’s 2030 target to make 25% of city trips autonomous.