Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has officially announced the launch of its fully autonomous RT6 taxi service, with a public rollout scheduled for the first quarter of 2026. The groundbreaking service, developed in partnership with Baidu’s Apollo Go, is designed to operate safely on public roads alongside live traffic.
A Milestone Ride To The World Governments Summit
Marking a significant step towards commercial deployment, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum took an inaugural ride in the autonomous vehicle to the World Governments Summit at Madinat Jumeirah. During the journey, he received a detailed briefing on the vehicle’s sophisticated operating system, which leverages a combination of artificial intelligence, advanced sensors, and autonomous decision-making to navigate complex urban environments safely.
The launch event was also attended by Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, and Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the RTA’s Board of Executive Directors.
Advanced Technology Powering The RT6
The RT6 model represents the sixth generation of autonomous taxi technology, engineered for large-scale deployment. Each vehicle is equipped with over 40 sensors, including high-precision LiDAR systems, multi-band radars, and advanced cameras. This suite of hardware enables real-time perception and decision-making that complies with the highest transport safety standards.
The vehicle’s operation is managed by an advanced software ecosystem that integrates real-time data, high-definition maps, and deep-learning algorithms. This allows the RT6 to navigate complex urban scenarios and interact safely with other vehicles, pedestrians, and intersections. The technology is supported by over 150 million kilometers of safe driving data and more than 10 million completed trips across various cities.
Rapid Implementation and Strategic Partnership
The driverless taxi project is the result of a collaboration between the RTA and Baidu Apollo Go, which was initiated following discussions at the 2024 World Governments Summit. These talks, centered on opportunities in autonomous mobility, align with Dubai’s overarching strategy to accelerate the adoption of future transport technologies.
The partnership progressed swiftly, moving from the signing of a memorandum of understanding to the launch of operational trials on select Dubai roads in approximately 10 months.
Dubai Hub For Autonomous Operations
Further cementing its commitment, Baidu Apollo Go has established an autonomous vehicle operations and control center in Dubai, its first such facility outside of China. Located at Dubai Science Park, the 2,000-square-meter center will manage all aspects of the fleet, including vehicle monitoring, software updates, maintenance, and safety testing. The center will also support the phased expansion of the autonomous taxi service across the emirate.
About RTA
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is the government agency responsible for planning and executing transport and traffic projects in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It aims to provide an integrated transport system capable of achieving Dubai’s vision and serving the vital interests of the community.
Source: Fast Company Middle East
