Dubai’s journey toward a driverless future is gathering pace. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, was briefed about the progress in self-driving vehicles during the Dubai World Self-Driving Transport Exhibition.
More than 60 self-driving taxis are now being tested in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim as part of pilot operations by global companies Baidu Apollo Go, WeRide and Pony.ai.
The trials come ahead of the planned commercial launch of Dubai’s driverless taxis in 2026. The initiative is a key step in the emirate’s vision to transform mobility and boost sustainability, with the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy aiming for 25% of trips to be autonomous by 2030 and 36% by 2040.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan was also briefed about the new unified visual identity for autonomous vehicles operated by companies in Dubai, branded ‘Dubai Future Ride’. These vehicles will feature AI-powered interactive entertainment to enhance passenger experience.
