Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has issued its first permit for fully driverless vehicle trials to Baidu’s Apollo Go, clearing the way for autonomous ride-hailing operations without a safety driver on designated public roads.
Highlights
- Dubai’s RTA grants Apollo Go the emirate’s first driverless vehicle trial permit, allowing fully autonomous operations without a human safety driver.
- Apollo Go Park opens in downtown Dubai as the company’s first overseas operations hub, spanning 2,000 square meters.
- Fleet expansion targets 1,000 fully driverless vehicles in Dubai as the operation scales beyond initial testing.
- Commercial launch anticipated in Q1 2026, positioning Dubai as Apollo Go’s first international market for autonomous ride-hailing.
First Overseas Operations Hub Opens
The RTA formally issued the driverless permit during the opening ceremony of Apollo Go Park in downtown Dubai. The 2,000-square-meter facility represents Baidu’s first operations center outside China.
The hub integrates intelligent road infrastructure, charging stations, and maintenance facilities. It will serve as a central command center as Apollo Go scales its Dubai operations.
RTA Director General Mattar Al Tayer attended the ceremony and observed Apollo Go’s first fully driverless vehicle operating on designated public roads.
Regulatory Framework and Testing History
The permit builds on a strategic cooperation agreement signed between Apollo Go and the RTA in March 2025. That agreement established the foundation for autonomous driving testing and services in Dubai.
Key milestones in the Dubai deployment include:
- March 2025: Strategic cooperation agreement signed with RTA
- July 2025: RTA grants Apollo Go the emirate’s first autonomous driving trial permit and 50 test licenses
- August 2025: Testing begins with a 50-vehicle RT6 fleet on designated public roads
- January 2026: First fully driverless trial permit issued
Officials Emphasize Safety Standards
Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of the RTA’s Public Transport Agency, described the testing framework’s objectives.
“Through this trial permit and the deployment of Apollo Go’s autonomous vehicles on designated open roads, we will rigorously test safety, reliability, and customer experience,” Bahrozyan said.
Al Tayer characterized the permit as a significant regulatory development for the emirate.
“The RTA’s issuance of Dubai’s first permit for fully driverless operational trials without a safety driver represents a qualitative milestone,” he said.
Apollo Go’s Operational Track Record
Apollo Go enters the Dubai market with substantial autonomous driving experience accumulated across its global operations.
The company’s operational statistics as of October 31, 2025:
- 240 million+ autonomous kilometers logged globally
- 140 million+ kilometers completed in fully driverless mode
- 22 cities with active Apollo Go deployments
- 250,000+ weekly rides currently
- 17 million+ cumulative rides completed
Yunpeng Wang, Baidu Corporate Vice President and President of Baidu’s Intelligent Driving Group, called the Dubai expansion a significant milestone in the company’s international growth strategy.
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