Uber Technologies and Chinese tech giant Baidu are set to roll out autonomous ride-hailing in Dubai, marking a significant step in the global expansion of self-driving mobility.
The Apollo Go autonomous vehicles will be accessible through the Uber app starting next month in select areas of Jumeirah, with plans to expand the service based on operational insights and regulatory approvals, according to a statement.
Passengers can choose an Apollo Go vehicle by booking Uber Comfort or UberX rides or selecting the new ‘Autonomous’ option in the app. Fleet operations will be managed by Dubai-based operator New Horizon, a third-party service provider.
The partnership aligns with Dubai’s strategic target to make 25% of all transportation trips autonomous by 2030, underlining the emirate’s drive to become a global hub for AI-driven mobility solutions.
📌 Why it matters: Dubai is positioning itself as a testbed for autonomous vehicles, attracting international tech partnerships while advancing its smart city agenda. Uber and Baidu’s collaboration could accelerate adoption of self-driving technology in the Middle East and showcase scalable urban mobility models.
📌 Bottom line: With Apollo Go cars hitting Dubai streets next month, Uber and Baidu are not just expanding a ride-hailing service: they’re helping the emirate inch closer to its vision of widespread autonomous transportation by 2030.
