As part of this move, Dubai has inaugurated a state of the art Control and Operations Centre for autonomous taxis, developed by the Chinese technology firm Baidu Apollo Go. Located in Dubai Science Park and spread over 2,000 square metres, this is Apollo Go’s first such centre outside China, marking a major milestone for both the company and the emirate.

According to Gulf News, the centre was officially opened on Thursday by Matar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), alongside Yun Peng Wang, Baidu’s Corporate Vice President.

Authorities expect commercial driverless taxi services to begin in the first quarter of 2026, with the fleet gradually expanding to 1,000 vehicles.

The new facility will act as the nerve centre for autonomous taxi operations. It includes command and control rooms, simulation and training halls, and full maintenance and operations units. From safety checks and software updates to charging, repairs, and emergency response, all critical functions will be managed under one roof.

In a landmark decision, the RTA has also granted Baidu Apollo Go Dubai’s first full autonomous driving trial permit, allowing vehicles to operate on selected public roads without a safety driver on board.

Officials have described this as a defining moment in Dubai’s journey toward self driving transport.

This development builds on a memorandum of understanding signed between the RTA and Baidu in March 2025. The first autonomous driving trial permit was issued in July 2025, followed by the launch of pilot operations in August, using 50 autonomous RT6 vehicles.

Speaking at the inauguration, Matar Al Tayer called the centre a historic moment for Dubai’s smart mobility journey. He noted that choosing Dubai as Apollo Go’s first overseas operations hub reflects strong global confidence in the emirate’s forward looking regulations, smart infrastructure, and safe operating environment.

He added that the issuance of a driverless trial permit highlights the flexibility of Dubai’s legal framework and its readiness to adapt to future technologies.

The RTA stated that its partnership with Baidu aims to shape the future of transport by improving road safety, cutting carbon emissions, and making urban mobility more efficient and reliable.

Baidu officials echoed this view, saying Dubai’s supportive regulatory environment and advanced infrastructure are key drivers of Apollo Go’s global expansion. Yun Peng Wang said, ‘Receiving Dubai’s first driverless permit is an honour for us and a clear sign of our long term commitment to the region.’

To date, Apollo Go has logged over 240 million kilometres of autonomous driving, including 140 million kilometres without a driver. The company operates in 22 cities worldwide and had completed more than 17 million rides by October 2025.

With this move, Dubai is not just testing new technology, it is quietly reshaping how cities move, connect, and breathe, one driverless ride at a time.