Dubai has officially moved its futuristic transport vision from the drawing board to the streets. The city's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has commenced the first phase of its highly anticipated driverless robotaxi service, marking a historic leap in urban mobility.
Mapping the Future: 65 Key Locations Go Live
This initial rollout is not a limited test but a structured deployment across 65 specific public locations. These spots are strategically concentrated in two primary zones, targeting high-traffic tourist, commercial, and residential hubs. Zone One covers 17 locations in areas like Jumeirah 1, 2, and 3, Al Wasl, and the Etihad Museum corridor. Zone Two encompasses 48 locations in Umm Suqeim 1, 2, and 3, Al Manara, Al Safa, and coastal residential districts.
This network is integrated across a 15-kilometre autonomous transport corridor. Key landmarks and neighborhoods where residents and tourists can first experience this service include:
- Jumeirah: Etihad Museum, La Mer Beach, Mercato Mall, Jumeirah Mosque.
- Al Wasl / City Walk: Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk, Galleria Mall.
- Umm Suqeim: Kite Beach, areas surrounding the Burj Al Arab.
- Residential Hubs: Al Manara, Al Safa, and Za'abeel First.
The Technology and Partnerships Powering the Service
The initiative is a collaboration between Dubai's RTA and the US-based autonomous vehicle leader, Cruise. In a significant regulatory move, the RTA has granted a first-of-its-kind permit that allows these vehicles to operate on public roads without a safety driver behind the wheel, a major milestone for commercial autonomous deployments globally.
Operations are managed from the new Autonomous Vehicles Operations and Control Centre at Dubai Science Park. This 2,000-square-metre hub, the company's first outside China, handles real-time monitoring, maintenance, software updates, and safety oversight for the entire fleet.
Furthermore, international tech firms are already running parallel trials. Companies like WeRide and Uber have launched public test services, allowing users in parts of Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim to book robotaxis directly through the Uber app, offering a glimpse of the future ride-hailing experience.
A Strategic Step Towards Dubai's 2030 Goal
This Phase 1 launch is the first major tangible milestone of Dubai's Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy. The emirate has set an ambitious target: to convert 25% of all transportation trips into self-driving journeys by 2030. This rollout is the foundational step towards that goal, positioning Dubai as a definitive global leader in smart and autonomous urban mobility.
The successful testing and regulatory approvals in this phase pave the way for a broader commercial launch targeted for early 2026. For now, Dubai residents and visitors in the designated zones can witness and soon experience the reality of driverless transport, as the city steadily drives towards its transformative 2030 vision.
