Baidu’s fully driverless Apollo Go robotaxis are now available to Uber riders in Dubai, serving select locations in Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah with New Horizon Luxury Transport as fleet operator. The launch is the first deployment under the multi-year Baidu–Uber partnership, which aims to place thousands of Apollo Go vehicles on the ride-hailing platform across global markets. Uber says the Dubai service marks the first time its multi-partner autonomous network has operated on public roads.
Highlights
- Fully driverless service covers select locations in Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah, with territory expansion planned
- Fleet runs Apollo Go’s sixth-generation RT6, a purpose-built electric robotaxi seating up to three passengers and carrying more than 30 sensors
- Apollo Go operates across 28 cities globally, with fleets logging more than 217 million autonomous miles (350 million km), including over 149 million fully driverless miles (240 million km)
- As of the end of June, the company reports roughly one airbag deployment every 8.9 million fully driverless miles (14.4 million km)
How Do Riders Book an Apollo Go Robotaxi in Dubai?
Riders requesting UberX or Uber Comfort inside the service area may be matched with a fully driverless Apollo Go vehicle. Those who specifically want an autonomous trip can select the dedicated “Autonomous” option in the Uber app, which Uber says increases the likelihood of a robotaxi match.
No separate application is required. The Apollo Go app remains available in Dubai as a parallel channel, giving riders two routes to the same driverless fleet.
What Vehicle Runs the Service?
The Dubai deployment uses Apollo Go’s sixth-generation RT6, a purpose-built, fully electric robotaxi designed for driverless operation. Each vehicle accommodates up to three passengers and carries more than 30 sensors for perception of its surroundings, with data processed onboard in real time.
Dubai Becomes Apollo Go’s First Dual-Model Market
Dubai is the first city where Apollo Go operates through both its own application and a third-party platform partner internationally. In March 2026, the service began offering commercial fully driverless rides through the Apollo Go app — its first international app deployment. That launch followed the January 2026 award of Dubai’s first driverless testing permit for autonomous vehicles operating without a safety driver.
“This launch marks a meaningful milestone in our partnership with Uber, with Dubai serving as the launchpad as the partnership grows its footprint,” said Nan Yang, Vice President of Baidu and General Manager of Overseas Business Unit, Intelligent Driving Group. “Dubai is also the first city where we’ve successfully established a dual model, offering both self-operated and partner-based autonomous ride-hailing services internationally. With this launch, we are excited to offer another way for riders in Dubai to enjoy the benefits of autonomous mobility.”
Where the Partnership Goes Next
The Baidu–Uber agreement was first announced in July 2025 and pairs Uber’s network with Apollo Go’s autonomous driving stack. Its stated aim is to bring thousands of Apollo Go vehicles onto the Uber platform across multiple global markets, increasing the supply of ridesharing capacity.
“Bringing our partnership with Baidu to life is a major step forward as we expand autonomous mobility globally,” said Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous at Uber. “Launching in Dubai marks the first time our multi-partner vision comes to life on public roads, demonstrating how combining advanced autonomous technology with our global marketplace can accelerate an electric, shared, and autonomous future.”
Uber’s Multi-Partner AV Approach
Uber states that all autonomous vehicles on its network, including Apollo Go, must meet its safety guidelines before carrying riders. The company works with more than 30 AV partners and reports millions of autonomous trips completed annually, building toward a hybrid network in which autonomous vehicles and human drivers operate alongside one another.
