Driverless taxi trial in Dubai 2025: Apollo Go to roll out 50 autonomous cabs
Experimental trials of 50 self-driving cabs will be introduced in the coming months in the emirate.
The trial, the result of an agreement between the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai and Chinese autonomous ride-hailing service Apollo Go, will expand to a wider public launch of the service next year.
The Apollo Go service has already proved to be a massive success in China, where more than 10 million driverless trips have already been completed.
Dubai will see the RT6, the latest generation of driverless taxis, operate on an initial trial basis this year.
These vehicles are equipped with 40 sensors and detectors to ensure the highest standards of automation and safety. Plans are already in place to introduce 1,000 self-driving cabs by the Chinese brand in the next three years.
Driverless taxis will be introduced in Dubai soon (Credit: Baidu)
This latest agreement comes following a similar announcement earlier in April which promised to bring Uber's WeRide platform to the city.
Dubai's RTA aims to convert 25 percent of all trips across its public transport services into autonomous services by 2030.
Why does Dubai want self-driving taxis?
All this futuristic thinking is part of the UAE government's Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy, which has outlined why the plans are necessary.
The strategy says that, by transforming transport in the country's most populated city, they believe traffic accidents will reduce by 12 per cent and increase productivity by 13 per cent.
The RTA says that driverless services will improve road safety as it reduces the risk of human error in traffic accidents and it will allow a wider segment of the community to be served.
The UAE believes that the strategy will also bring Dhs22 billion in revenue by reducing transportation costs, raising the productivity of individuals, and saving 'hundreds of millions of hours wasted in conventional transportation'.
Autonomous mobility is becoming a reality.
RTA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Baidu's autonomous ride-hailing service Apollo Go, a global leader in autonomous transport solutions, to roll out autonomous taxis on a large scale across the emirate. The company will…
— RTA (@rta_dubai) April 20, 2025
That rather large figure is a combination of the Dhs900 million predicted savings in transportation costs, Dhs1.5 billion reduction in environmental pollution and a whopping Dhs18 billion in increasing the efficiency of the transportation sector.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, highlighted the benefits of the self-driving service.
He said: 'Self-driving transport has become a reality, with global companies accelerating the development of the necessary technology and software.
'Simultaneously, governments, represented by the relevant authorities, are focusing on licensing autonomous vehicle operations, developing the required infrastructure, and establishing the rules and regulations that govern their use.
'RTA is committed to enhancing Dubai's global leadership in autonomous mobility by trialling various types of autonomous vehicles, air taxis, and marine transport, with the ultimate goal of achieving the objectives of Dubai's Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy.'
In 2024, the RTA completed tests and trials of its self-driving Chevrolet Bolt vehicles in the Jumeirah area of the city but it remains to be seen if these vehicles will be rolled out further.
The plan is for Dubai to eventually have 4,000 driverless taxis on its roads, which is believed to ease traffic, cut emissions and lead to fewer accidents.
In other Dubai news
Dubai's Mall of the Emirates to undergo huge expansion — here's what to expect
You're going to see some big changes
A second headliner has been announced for the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix
It was written In The Stars
Inside Etihad Rail: This is what it's like to travel on UAE's new train
Spoiler alert: we're impressed
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Chinese military chiefs develop killer bird-drone powered by flapping wings
The drones could be used to assassinate enemy VIPs CHINESE military chiefs have developed a killer bird drone powered by flapping wings, The Sun on Sunday can reveal. The new weapon - known as an 'ornithopter' - has been built to resemble Eurasian tree sparrow and was revealed during a recent demonstration by Chinese special forces. Advertisement The drone replicates the wing-flapping motion of a sparrow in flight, making it virtually indistinguishable from real birds at a distance, according to the latest edition of Soldier Magazine. A video of the occasion shows an officer with the Peoples' Liberation Army Sea Commandos releasing the sparrow-like drone as he resurfaced from the water. The drone then circled in the sky for a few minutes while flapping its wings like a real bird. Another clip shows a commando operating a larger drone, which is similar in size to a raven or hawk. Advertisement Details of how the bird-drone is powered and flies remain secret but defence sources believe drones of this size would normally use small advanced sensors allowing the operator to spy on enemy troops. Defence sources have also claimed that this new generation of drones can also be armed with micro-warheads to strike enemy assets, especially those in cover. The drones could also be used to assassinate enemy VIPs such as senior military commanders. But small drones often have a limited range and endurance, making them suitable only for short-range reconnaissance. Advertisement Colonel Phil Ingram, a former Army intelligence officer told The Sun on Sunday: 'These drones could revolutionise reconnaissance operations on the battlefield. 'It's just a matter of time before we see these being used in war zones such as Ukraine and there is quite a strong likelihood that they could already be part of Russia's drone armoury. Incredible moment wounded Ukrainian soldier is delivered e-bike by drone so he can escape while surrounded by Russians 'They will be used to conduct short term spying missions and if they can be fitted with a small warhead or weapon they could be used to take out individual battlefield commanders.' In 2021, the South China Morning Post uploaded a video of what it called a 'robo-fish' wagging its tail underwater. Advertisement The device was not a real fish, but a drone with the potential for underwater surveillance.
Scotsman
10 hours ago
- Scotsman
MG Cyberster review – electric roadster with style, speed and quirks
MG's new Cyberster is a lovely thing to behold | MG Motor This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. MG returns to its roadster roots with a striking electric convertible that's stylish, fast and surprisingly refined - Gareth Butterfield tests the new Cyberster Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... When the 80-year-old British car maker MG re-emerged from a chrysalis to become the Chinese-owned MG Motor UK, there wasn't a petrolhead on the planet that wasn't drooling over the prospect of a new range of lightweight sports cars. But instead the Birmingham brand's resurrection yielded little more than some mediocre hatchbacks, and then some reasonably forgettable SUVs. But MG has been quietly improving its cars with every launch, and some of them are extremely credible options, especially the MG4. And, at long last, MG is using this momentum to launch its first two-seater sports car since the TF. Unlike the TF, which was lightweight, mid-engined, and pretty inexpensive, this new "Cyberster" is heavy, complicated, fully electric and prices start at around £55,000. Yes, that's right, you can buy a Porsche Boxster for that. It's pretty from every angle, ad bigger than it looks in images | MG Motor But the Cyberster isn't like other two-seater sports cars. The first thing to get your head around is that it's fully electric. And it's basically the first fully electric roadster we've been able to buy since Tesla appeared on the scene with a madly expensive Lotus Elise clone. And because it's electric, it's quite heavy. So it isn't really all that sporty and it's more of a grand tourer, then. More in line with a Mercedes SL, in fact. And they cost twice the price. It's also utterly gorgeous, in case you hadn't noticed. The large front end, small cockpit set back towards the rear wheels, and the abruptly squared-off rear make it look really rather British, and it has scissor doors. I don't really know why; it doesn't need them, they don't perform any useful function, but my goodness they're awesome. You'll never tire of getting in and out of the Cyberster, and electrically raising them at the touch of a button. It's absolutely lovely inside, too. There are four displays draped around the cabin, a very comfortable pair of seats, and all the materials feel plush and expensive. It couldn't be a further cry from the MG 6 that first emerged from the MG ashes back in 2011. The scissor doors are quite the party piece | MG Motor It's also very fast. There are two versions; a rear-wheel-drive Trophy with 335bhp, or a GT with all-wheel-drive and almost 500bhp. This means the GT can accelerate to 60mph in just 3.2 seconds. They each use a 77kWh battery, which gives a claimed range of 316 miles in the Trophy and 276 miles in the GT, and it's brimming with modern tech and gadgets. On the face of it, then, the Cyberster is better than we could have hoped for, as we sat salivating over news of a new MG roadster. But there are issues. The biggest issue is in the four digital displays. It all looks seriously impressive when you sink into the cabin, but it only takes a few miles of driving to realise that they're just needlessly complicated and really quite annoying. The main driver's display is fine, that's centrally mounted and easy to understand. And there's also a screen on the centre console which does a fairly complicated job of bundling in the basics, including climate control. Irritating not to have buttons, but standard fayre at the moment. Then there are two other small displays, either side of the steering wheel. They're controlled with buttons and joysticks on the wheel itself, but the menu systems - especially on the right-hand screen - are complex and fiddly. And each screen works in a different way. And each screen is obscured by the steering wheel. The interior is lovely, but the four screens are a bit of a tech overload | MG Motor It's an exercise in digital overengineering. Navigating the options on this many displays while you're driving a car with 500bhp is downright dangerous and, even when you get used to where everything is and you've built up some muscle memory, you'll still have to take your eyes off the road for a bit too long to perform basic functions and, if you do, the car's driver alertness monitoring system will tell you off. The boot's a bit small, too. Not too bad in roadster terms at 249 litres, but the floor's quite shallow. And then there's the slightly awkward fact that the Cyberster weighs the best part of two tonnes. That's becoming forgivable in hatchbacks these days, but it does not make for a sporty drive. Happily, though, the rides is terrific, and the effortless power delivery coupled with a silent drivetrain makes for rather serene cruising, even if you're pushing on a bit. This isn't a car for B-road blasting, then. But for long journeys, even with a few tasty corners thrown into the mix, it's brilliant. Drive it more sensibly and you won't just be rewarded with a pleasant journey, you'll get fairly decent efficiency too. Topping 3 mi/kWh isn't difficult in the Cyberster and, while you'd struggle to get it too high, it does mean the range is well north of 200 miles, even if you're quite lead-footed. The roof lowers at speeds of up to 60mph, which is really handy | MG Motor The Cyberster also gets MG's impressive seven-year warranty and lease deals look pretty good, so it's going to be a viable option for anyone who wants to save some money and still have some open-top fun. When MG launched the MG4 it took us all by surprise. It's a remarkably good hatchback and its popularity is well deserved. Don't expect the Cyberster to be such a familiar sight on the roads, but anyone who does buy one will be enjoying a pretty unique offering in the automotive world - an electric roadster with a gorgeous design, show-stopping doors, and a genuinely luxurious interior. It might not be the sports car we've all been waiting for, but that doesn't mean it isn't really, really good. Canva Get beach-ready with MySweetSmile's gentle teeth whitening range £ 20.99 Buy now Buy now Sunshine, selfies and holiday cocktails – summer is here, and so are all the moments you'll want to capture with a glowing smile. Whether you're jetting off for a beach escape or heading to a sunny staycation, MySweetSmile can help you look your best. This UK best-seller offers peroxide-free, gentle whitening that works its magic without harsh ingredients or faff. Their powder is perfect for whitening before take-off, while the handy on-the-go pen is great for keeping your smile photo-ready poolside. Shop the full MySweetSmile summer-ready range here.
Scotsman
14 hours ago
- Scotsman
MG Cyberster review – electric roadster with style, speed and quirks
MG's new Cyberster is a lovely thing to behold | MG Motor This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. MG returns to its roadster roots with a striking electric convertible that's stylish, fast and surprisingly refined - Gareth Butterfield tests the new Cyberster Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... When the 80-year-old British car maker MG re-emerged from a chrysalis to become the Chinese-owned MG Motor UK, there wasn't a petrolhead on the planet that wasn't drooling over the prospect of a new range of lightweight sports cars. But instead the Birmingham brand's resurrection yielded little more than some mediocre hatchbacks, and then some reasonably forgettable SUVs. But MG has been quietly improving its cars with every launch, and some of them are extremely credible options, especially the MG4. And, at long last, MG is using this momentum to launch its first two-seater sports car since the TF. Unlike the TF, which was lightweight, mid-engined, and pretty inexpensive, this new "Cyberster" is heavy, complicated, fully electric and prices start at around £55,000. Yes, that's right, you can buy a Porsche Boxster for that. It's pretty from every angle, ad bigger than it looks in images | MG Motor But the Cyberster isn't like other two-seater sports cars. The first thing to get your head around is that it's fully electric. And it's basically the first fully electric roadster we've been able to buy since Tesla appeared on the scene with a madly expensive Lotus Elise clone. And because it's electric, it's quite heavy. So it isn't really all that sporty and it's more of a grand tourer, then. More in line with a Mercedes SL, in fact. And they cost twice the price. It's also utterly gorgeous, in case you hadn't noticed. The large front end, small cockpit set back towards the rear wheels, and the abruptly squared-off rear make it look really rather British, and it has scissor doors. I don't really know why; it doesn't need them, they don't perform any useful function, but my goodness they're awesome. You'll never tire of getting in and out of the Cyberster, and electrically raising them at the touch of a button. It's absolutely lovely inside, too. There are four displays draped around the cabin, a very comfortable pair of seats, and all the materials feel plush and expensive. It couldn't be a further cry from the MG 6 that first emerged from the MG ashes back in 2011. The scissor doors are quite the party piece | MG Motor It's also very fast. There are two versions; a rear-wheel-drive Trophy with 335bhp, or a GT with all-wheel-drive and almost 500bhp. This means the GT can accelerate to 60mph in just 3.2 seconds. They each use a 77kWh battery, which gives a claimed range of 316 miles in the Trophy and 276 miles in the GT, and it's brimming with modern tech and gadgets. On the face of it, then, the Cyberster is better than we could have hoped for, as we sat salivating over news of a new MG roadster. But there are issues. The biggest issue is in the four digital displays. It all looks seriously impressive when you sink into the cabin, but it only takes a few miles of driving to realise that they're just needlessly complicated and really quite annoying. The main driver's display is fine, that's centrally mounted and easy to understand. And there's also a screen on the centre console which does a fairly complicated job of bundling in the basics, including climate control. Irritating not to have buttons, but standard fayre at the moment. Then there are two other small displays, either side of the steering wheel. They're controlled with buttons and joysticks on the wheel itself, but the menu systems - especially on the right-hand screen - are complex and fiddly. And each screen works in a different way. And each screen is obscured by the steering wheel. The interior is lovely, but the four screens are a bit of a tech overload | MG Motor It's an exercise in digital overengineering. Navigating the options on this many displays while you're driving a car with 500bhp is downright dangerous and, even when you get used to where everything is and you've built up some muscle memory, you'll still have to take your eyes off the road for a bit too long to perform basic functions and, if you do, the car's driver alertness monitoring system will tell you off. The boot's a bit small, too. Not too bad in roadster terms at 249 litres, but the floor's quite shallow. And then there's the slightly awkward fact that the Cyberster weighs the best part of two tonnes. That's becoming forgivable in hatchbacks these days, but it does not make for a sporty drive. Happily, though, the rides is terrific, and the effortless power delivery coupled with a silent drivetrain makes for rather serene cruising, even if you're pushing on a bit. This isn't a car for B-road blasting, then. But for long journeys, even with a few tasty corners thrown into the mix, it's brilliant. Drive it more sensibly and you won't just be rewarded with a pleasant journey, you'll get fairly decent efficiency too. Topping 3 mi/kWh isn't difficult in the Cyberster and, while you'd struggle to get it too high, it does mean the range is well north of 200 miles, even if you're quite lead-footed. The roof lowers at speeds of up to 60mph, which is really handy | MG Motor The Cyberster also gets MG's impressive seven-year warranty and lease deals look pretty good, so it's going to be a viable option for anyone who wants to save some money and still have some open-top fun. When MG launched the MG4 it took us all by surprise. It's a remarkably good hatchback and its popularity is well deserved. Don't expect the Cyberster to be such a familiar sight on the roads, but anyone who does buy one will be enjoying a pretty unique offering in the automotive world - an electric roadster with a gorgeous design, show-stopping doors, and a genuinely luxurious interior. It might not be the sports car we've all been waiting for, but that doesn't mean it isn't really, really good.
