Web Desk: Dubai has taken another historic step in the field of smart transport by establishing the first control and operations center for driverless taxis. This state-of-the-art center, owned by Chinese technology company Baidu Apollo Go, is the first of its kind outside China, reflecting Dubai’s commitment to global leadership in artificial intelligence and modern transportation.
According to Gulf News, Matar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), and Yun Pengwang, Corporate Vice President of Baidu, inaugurated the 2,000-square-meter center located in Dubai Science Park on Thursday. Officials say they will launch commercial autonomous taxi services in the first quarter of 2026 and will gradually increase the fleet to 1,000 vehicles.
The authorities have established this state-of-the-art center to fully monitor and operate autonomous vehicles, featuring a command and control room, simulation and training halls, and operation and maintenance facilities. It will handle everything from vehicle safety testing, software updates, charging, repairs and emergency response.
The Roads and Transport Authority has also issued Dubai’s first fully autonomous driving trial permit to Baidu Apollo Go, allowing the vehicle to operate on designated public roads without a safety driver. The move is being hailed as a major milestone for autonomous transport in Dubai.
The development follows a memorandum of understanding signed between the RTA and Baidu in March 2025. Authorities issued the first autonomous driving trial permit in July 2025 and began trial runs of 50 autonomous ‘RT6’ vehicles in August.
Speaking at the inauguration, Matar Al Tayer said that the centre marks a historic moment in Dubai’s smart mobility journey. “The establishment of Apollo Go’s first operations centre outside of China in Dubai is proof that global companies have full confidence in Dubai’s modern laws, smart infrastructure and safe environment,” he added.
He added that the driverless trial permit demonstrates the flexibility of Dubai’s legal system and its compatibility with future technologies.
According to the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, the partnership with Baidu aims to promote future transport, improve road safety, reduce carbon emissions and make the urban transport system more efficient.
Baidu officials say Dubai’s supportive legal framework and modern infrastructure are playing a key role in Apollo Go’s global expansion. “It is an honor for us to receive the first driverless permit from Dubai and it is a testament to our long-term commitment in the region,” said Yunpeng Wang.
Apollo Go has so far completed more than 240 million kilometers of autonomous driving, including 140 million kilometers fully driverless. The company operates in 22 cities around the world and has completed more than 17 million rides as of October 2025.
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