Apollo Go Secures Dubai’s First Fully Driverless Testing Permit, Launches Local Operations Hub

Baidu’s Apollo Go Secures Dubai’s First Driverless Testing Permit, Paving Way for Commercial Launch

DUBAI, UAE – January 7, 2026 – Apollo Go, Baidu’s pioneering autonomous ride-hailing platform, has achieved a significant milestone by securing Dubai’s inaugural permit for fully driverless vehicle testing from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). This authorization permits Apollo Go to operate its autonomous vehicles on designated public roads without a safety driver, a crucial step towards launching a fully autonomous commercial ride-hailing service in the emirate as early as the first quarter of 2026.

The RTA formally issued the driverless vehicle trial permit during the inauguration of Apollo Go Park in Dubai. This facility marks Apollo Go’s first operations and management hub outside of China, signaling a strategic expansion into international markets. The 2,000-square-meter Apollo Go Park, situated in downtown Dubai, is engineered as a comprehensive center for autonomous vehicle operations. It integrates intelligent road infrastructure, charging and maintenance capabilities, and advanced technological support systems. The park is slated to evolve into a central command hub as Apollo Go and the RTA plan to scale the fleet to over 1,000 fully driverless vehicles in Dubai.

The permit issuance ceremony saw the presence of H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at Dubai’s RTA, who observed an Apollo Go vehicle conducting its first fully driverless runs on public roads within the emirate.

“The establishment of Apollo Go’s first overseas operations center underscores the robust confidence of leading global entities in Dubai’s advanced regulatory framework and its sophisticated smart infrastructure, which is primed to support and advance autonomous vehicle technologies in adherence to the highest global standards of safety and efficiency,” stated H.E. Mattar Al Tayer. “The RTA’s issuance of Dubai’s first permit for fully driverless operational trials, without a safety driver, represents a transformative achievement. It reflects our commitment to cultivating a dynamic and secure legislative environment that keeps pace with the rapid evolution of mobility technologies, fosters innovation, and cultivates strategic partnerships with pioneering global companies in this sector. This collaboration with Baidu Apollo Go aligns with the RTA’s broader vision to enhance future mobility solutions and accelerate the deployment of autonomous vehicles across taxi and ride-hailing services, ultimately contributing to an improved quality of life, enhanced road safety, reduced carbon emissions, and a more efficient transportation network for the emirate.”

Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency at the RTA, commented, “As Dubai’s public transport network continues its expansion, we view autonomous mobility as a powerful enhancement to our existing services. Through this trial permit and the deployment of Apollo Go’s autonomous vehicles on designated open roads, we will conduct rigorous assessments of safety, reliability, and the overall customer experience, ensuring that any future large-scale deployment fully meets Dubai’s stringent standards and effectively serves the needs of our residents and visitors.”

Yunpeng Wang, Corporate Vice President of Baidu and President of Baidu’s Intelligent Driving Group, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are honored by the RTA’s trust in Apollo Go, granting us Dubai’s first driverless vehicle trial permit. Coupled with the launch of our inaugural overseas Apollo Go Park today, this represents a truly pivotal moment in Apollo Go’s expansion within the UAE and solidifies our long-term commitment to the region. Leveraging our extensive global expertise, we eagerly anticipate collaborating closely with the RTA and local partners to deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable autonomous ride-hailing services, thereby accelerating the emirate’s transition towards intelligent transportation.”

Liang Zhang, Managing Director of EMEA for Baidu Apollo, added, “Securing Dubai’s first driverless vehicle trial permit is a definitive validation of our technology’s safety and maturity. By establishing our first international Apollo Go Park here, we are laying a robust foundation for localized operations and close collaboration with the RTA to introduce safe, efficient, and sustainable autonomous mobility solutions to Dubai’s residents.”

This significant development builds upon the strategic cooperation agreement established between Apollo Go and the RTA in March 2025, aimed at advancing autonomous driving testing and services within Dubai. In July 2025, the RTA granted Apollo Go the emirate’s initial autonomous driving trial permit and issued a batch of 50 autonomous driving test licenses. Since August, Apollo Go has been conducting trials with a fleet of 50 RT6 autonomous vehicles on designated public roads across Dubai.

Apollo Go’s accelerated expansion into the UAE is underpinned by its industry-leading autonomous driving technology and extensive operational experience. As a global frontrunner in autonomous ride-hailing, Apollo Go has accumulated over 240 million kilometers of autonomous driving, with more than 140 million kilometers completed in fully driverless mode. With a presence in 22 cities worldwide, Apollo Go’s weekly ride volume has recently exceeded 250,000, and as of October 31, 2025, the service has facilitated over 17 million cumulative rides.

This strategic move by Baidu highlights Dubai’s ambition to become a global leader in smart city initiatives and autonomous transportation, positioning the emirate at the forefront of technological innovation in the mobility sector. The successful integration of Apollo Go’s services could significantly reshape urban transportation, offering a glimpse into the future of efficient, eco-friendly, and accessible mobility.