This feels like something you’d normally see in a sci-fi movie, but it’s officially on the way to Dubai. Driverless RoboTaxi services are scheduled to launch in early 2026, and the city has already locked in where they’ll operate first. Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has approved 65 locations for the initial rollout.
Zone One covers 17 locations. They are located mainly across areas like Deira, Al Rigga, Al Muraqqabat, parts of Karama, and sections of Bur Dubai. These are places where taxis are already heavily used for short, everyday trips.
Zone Two is much larger, with 48 locations. This zone stretches along and around Dubai Creek and connects more areas together. It likely includes Deira creekside neighbourhoods such as Al Ras and Baniyas, parts of Port Saeed, Oud Metha, and longer road corridors in Bur Dubai.
Baidu Apollo Go already has approval to run fully autonomous vehicles without a safety driver inside. When operations begin in the first quarter of 2026, riders will be able to order a driverless RoboTaxi within these approved zones using a ride-hailing app.
If you regularly move around Deira, Bur Dubai, Karama, or the Creek area, this service is likely to show up there early. Areas like Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, JBR, and the Palm don’t appear in this first phase.
Along with driverless RoboTaxi services, another much-awaited transport service is coming to Dubai this year: flying taxis will begin carrying passengers in 2026 following successful test flights.
If you move around the city a lot, both RoboTaxi and air taxis are worth keeping an eye on. Detailed maps, confirmed pickup points, and launch updates are expected closer to rollout.
