Latest news with #SmartSelf-DrivingTransportStrategy
Filipino Times
21-04-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
Dubai to roll out self-driving taxis by 2026; trial begins in coming months
Dubai is gearing up to roll out self-driving taxis by 2026, starting with the trial deployment of 50 autonomous vehicles in the coming months. The initiative follows a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Baidu's autonomous ride-hailing service, Apollo Go. Under the agreement, 50 self-driving taxis will begin pilot operations across the emirate, with plans to gradually scale the fleet to 1,000 vehicles over the next three years. Baidu's Apollo Go will deploy its latest generation of autonomous taxis, the RT6, which are equipped with 40 sensors for enhanced safety and automation. The model has already achieved success in China, having logged over 150 million kilometers of autonomous driving and completed more than 10 million trips. This move is a key part of Dubai's Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to convert 25% of all trips in the city to autonomous journeys by 2030, Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at the RTA, said in a news release. '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,' Al Tayer added. RTA officials also said that the autonomous taxi service is expected to improve road safety, reduce congestion, and provide mobility solutions for those unable to drive, including children and the elderly.
Zawya
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
Dubai's RTA signs deal to launch operational trials of 50 autonomous taxis in 2025
DUBAI: Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 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 begin the experimental operation of 50 autonomous vehicles in the coming months, paving the way for the official public launch of the service in 2026. The MoU was signed in a ceremony attended by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), and Halton Niu, General Manager of Overseas Business at Baidu's Intelligent Driving Group (IDG). On behalf of the RTA, the MoU was signed by Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, while Liang Zhang, General Manager of Overseas Business, MENA, Baidu Intelligent Driving Group, signed on behalf of Baidu. Several representatives from both parties were also present. Under the terms of the MoU, Baidu's Apollo Go will deploy the sixth also the latest generation of its autonomous taxis RT6, specifically designed for autonomous mobility services. These vehicles are equipped with 40 sensors and detectors to ensure the highest standards of automation and safety. This model has already achieved remarkable success and garnered widespread acclaim from users in China. The data collection and testing phase will commence with 50 vehicles in the coming months, gradually expanding to 1,000 autonomous taxis over the next three years, according to the established efficiency and service quality standards. This launch marks Apollo Go's first international expansion in the testing and operation of autonomous vehicles outside China mainland and Hong Kong. To date, the company has logged over 150 million kilometres of safe driving, enabling large-scale self-driving taxi services across multiple cities in Chin50a, in addition to the roll-out of 100 percent driverless operations. It has also completed more than 10 million autonomous trips, making it the world's largest operator of autonomous vehicle fleets. Al Tayer expressed his pleasure in signing the MoU with Baidu's Apollo Go, pioneers of the first autonomous taxi service in China. The company is also leading efforts to integrate artificial intelligence, big data, and automation technologies to shape the smart cities of the future. Al Tayer stated, 'This MoU aligns with the directives of our leadership to strengthen partnerships with global entities and leading companies, positioning the emirate at the forefront of implementing advanced and sustainable transport solutions. It aims to leverage cutting-edge technologies and promote the adoption of innovative mobility solutions. The MoU marks a pivotal step towards the realisation of Dubai's Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to convert 25 percent of all trips in Dubai into autonomous journeys across various modes of transport by 2030. It also builds on the RTA's ongoing efforts to conduct operational trials of autonomous vehicles and units, a process that commenced in 2016.' Al Tayer added, '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.' Halton Niu, General Manager of Overseas Business at Baidu IDG, said, 'The collaboration with RTA not only demonstrates Dubai's proactive embrace of innovative technology, but also contributes to the UAE's goal of becoming a global leader in autonomous driving. Apollo Go is dedicated to delivering safe, sustainable, and efficient smart mobility services to cities worldwide. By working closely with local partners, we aim to develop transformative transportation solutions that empower communities and drive progress.' Liang Zhang, General Manager of Overseas Business, MENA, Baidu IDG, stated, 'Our partnership with RTA marks Apollo Go's most significant international expansion beyond China to date. This collaboration underscores Dubai's unwavering commitment to establishing itself as a global leader in next-generation mobility innovation.' Ahmed Bahrozyan stated, 'Self-driving transport will improve the quality of life for all segments of society, offering freedom of movement to those who are currently unable to drive, such as children and the elderly. It will also save considerable time and effort, while enhancing road safety. The future of transportation lies in autonomous driving technologies, which will become an essential part of how people move.' He added, "The MoU signed with Baidu's Apollo Go plays a crucial role in strengthening cooperation and knowledge sharing to develop autonomous driving technology in the Emirate of Dubai. This will be achieved through field trials and the creation of a roadmap for the operation of autonomous taxis."
Dubai Eye
20-04-2025
- Automotive
- Dubai Eye
Dubai gears up to launch trial of driverless taxis
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced it will begin the trial of 50 driverless taxis in the coming months, paving the way for the official roll-out of the autonomous service in 2026. An Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked between RTA and Baidu's autonomous ride-hailing service Apollo Go. Under the agreement, Apollo Go will deploy its sixth generation RT6 model, which is equipped with 40 sensors and detectors to ensure the highest standards of automation and safety. The data collection and testing phase will commence with 50 vehicles in the coming months, gradually expanding to 1,000 autonomous taxis over the next three years. This marks Apollo Go's first international expansion outside China and Hong Kong. To date, the company has logged over 150 million km of safe driving, enabling large-scale self-driving taxi services across multiple cities in China, in addition to the roll out of 100% driverless operations. It has also completed more than 10 million autonomous trips. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said they are "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", which aims to convert 25 per cent of all trips in Dubai into autonomous journeys across various modes of transport by 2030.
Gulf Business
20-04-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf Business
50 self-driving taxis to hit Dubai roads: Here's what to expect
Image credit: WAM/Website Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to begin the experimental operation of 50 autonomous vehicles in the coming months, paving the way for the official public launch of the service in 2026. Read-D The MoU was signed during a ceremony attended by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA, and Halton Niu, General Manager of Overseas Business at Baidu's Intelligent Driving Group (IDG). On behalf of the RTA, the MoU was signed by Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, while Liang Zhang, General Manager of Overseas Business, MENA, Baidu Intelligent Driving Group, signed on behalf of Baidu. Several representatives from both parties were also present. Experimental operation The trial phase will begin with 50 autonomous vehicles in the coming months, setting the stage for the public launch in 2026. Under the MoU, Apollo Go will deploy the sixth—and latest—generation of its RT6 autonomous taxis, specifically designed for driverless mobility services. These vehicles feature 40 sensors and detectors to ensure the highest standards of automation and safety. The RT6 model has already achieved significant success and received widespread acclaim from users in China. The data collection and testing phase will start with 50 vehicles and gradually expand to 1,000 autonomous taxis over the next three years, based on established efficiency and service quality standards. Apollo Go's first international expansion This initiative marks Apollo Go's first international venture outside mainland China and Hong Kong in testing and operating autonomous vehicles. To date, Apollo Go has logged over 150 million kilometres of safe driving, supporting large-scale driverless taxi services across multiple cities in China. The company has completed more than 10 million autonomous trips, making it the world's largest operator of autonomous vehicle fleets. Al Tayer expressed his satisfaction with the agreement, highlighting Apollo Go as a pioneer of China's first autonomous taxi service and a leader in integrating artificial intelligence, big data, and automation to shape the smart cities of the future. 'This MoU aligns with the directives of our leadership to strengthen partnerships with global entities and leading companies, positioning the emirate at the forefront of advanced and sustainable transport solutions. It aims to leverage cutting-edge technologies and promote innovative mobility solutions,' said Al Tayer. He added that the agreement marks a pivotal step in realizing Dubai's Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to make 25 percent of all trips in Dubai autonomous by 2030. This builds on the RTA's ongoing efforts in autonomous vehicle trials, which began in 2016. RTA's role in advancing autonomous mobility Self-driving transport is becoming a global reality, with leading companies accelerating the development of enabling technologies and software. Governments and relevant authorities are simultaneously working on licensing frameworks, infrastructure, and regulatory guidelines for autonomous vehicle operations. RTA is committed to reinforcing Dubai's global leadership in autonomous mobility through the testing of various autonomous vehicles, including air taxis and marine transport, in line with its Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy. 'The collaboration with RTA not only reflects Dubai's proactive embrace of innovative technology, but also supports the UAE's ambition to lead in autonomous driving,' said Halton Niu. 'Apollo Go is committed to delivering safe, sustainable, and efficient smart mobility services globally.' Liang Zhang, General Manager of Overseas Business, MENA, at Baidu IDG, added, 'Our partnership with RTA marks Apollo Go's most significant international expansion to date. This collaboration demonstrates Dubai's strong commitment to next-generation mobility innovation.' Ahmed Bahrozyan emphasised the societal benefits of self-driving transport, including greater accessibility for children, the elderly, and those unable to drive, while improving road safety and saving time. 'The MoU with Apollo Go is crucial for strengthening cooperation and knowledge-sharing to develop autonomous driving technologies in Dubai,' he said. 'This will be achieved through field trials and a roadmap for deploying autonomous taxis.'
Gulf News
20-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf News
Dubai's RTA inks MoU with China's Baidu to launch trials of self-driving taxis in coming months
Dubai: Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Baidu's autonomous ride-hailing service, Apollo Go, to roll out autonomous taxis on a large scale across the emirate. The company will begin the experimental operation of 50 autonomous vehicles in the coming months, paving the way for the official public launch of the service in 2026. Under the terms of the MoU, Apollo Go will deploy the latest generation of its autonomous taxis RT6, specifically designed for autonomous mobility services. These vehicles are equipped with 40 sensors and detectors to ensure the highest standards of automation and safety. This model has already achieved remarkable success and garnered widespread acclaim from users in China. 1,000 self-driving taxis The data collection and testing phase will commence with 50 vehicles in the coming months, gradually expanding to 1,000 autonomous taxis over the next three years, according to the established efficiency and service quality standards. This launch marks Apollo Go's first international expansion in the testing and operation of autonomous vehicles outside China mainland and Hong Kong. To date, the company has logged over 150 million kilometres of safe driving, enabling large-scale self-driving taxi services across multiple cities in China, in addition to the roll out of 100 per cent driverless operations. It has also completed more than 10 million autonomous trips, making it the world's largest operator of autonomous vehicle fleets. Global partnership The MoU was signed in the presence of Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), and Halton Niu, General Manager of Overseas Business at Baidu's Intelligent Driving Group (IDG). On behalf of the RTA, the MoU was signed by Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, while Liang Zhang, General Manager of Overseas Business, MENA, Baidu Intelligent Driving Group, signed on behalf of Baidu. Apollo Go, pioneers of the first autonomous taxi service in China, is leading efforts to integrate artificial intelligence, big data, and automation technologies to shape the smart cities of the future. 'This MoU aligns with the directives of our leadership to strengthen partnerships with global entities and leading companies, positioning the emirate at the forefront of implementing advanced and sustainable transport solutions,' Al Tayer noted. He pointed out the agreement marks a 'pivotal step' towards the realisation of Dubai's Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to convert 25 per cent of all trips in Dubai into autonomous journeys across various modes of transport by 2030. 'It also builds on the RTA's ongoing efforts to conduct operational trials of autonomous vehicles and units, a process that commenced in 2016.' Al Tayer said self-driving transport has become a reality, with global companies accelerating the development of the necessary technology and software. '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,' Al Tayer noted. Niu said that Apollo Go is dedicated to delivering safe, sustainable, and efficient smart mobility services to cities worldwide. 'By working closely with local partners, we aim to develop transformative transportation solutions that empower communities and drive progress.'
