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Dubai Starts Fully Driverless Robotaxi Rides in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim

A regulated rollout signals Dubai’s push to scale autonomous travel this decade.

Overview

  • Public, fare‑charging service went live Tuesday, with bookings available in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim through Uber’s Autonomous option and the Apollo Go app.
  • WeRide runs the Uber‑booked robotaxis with local operators Tawasul and Tolool handling the fleet, while Apollo Go offers separate rides via its own app with support from Dubai Taxi Company.
  • The launch begins with 100 vehicles and no safety driver on board after December 2025 trials and a February 2026 driverless permit from the Roads and Transport Authority.
  • Early pricing sits around mid‑tier ride‑hailing rates, with example trips priced between UberX and Comfort, such as Kite Beach to Souk Madinat at about Dhs30.
  • Uber holds a 5.82% stake in WeRide, and the partners aim to scale to at least 1,200 robotaxis across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh as Dubai targets 25% autonomous journeys by 2030.