Quick answer: Open Uber in Dubai, enter a pickup and destination within supported parts of Jumeirah or Umm Suqeim, then choose Autonomous if it appears. You may also be matched with a fully driverless Apollo Go vehicle after requesting UberX or Uber Comfort. Availability is limited, so selecting Autonomous or opting in under Settings → Ride Preferences → Autonomous vehicles increases your chance but does not guarantee a robotaxi.[2][4]
Booking checklist
- Service area at launch: select locations in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim.[2]
- Uber ride choices: Autonomous, UberX or Uber Comfort.[2]
- Vehicle: Baidu Apollo Go RT6, with no human driver.[2]
- Passenger limit: up to three riders.[2]
- Price: check the live fare in Uber before confirming; no fixed Dubai robotaxi fare was published in the official launch materials reviewed.
- If the option is missing: update Uber, check that both trip points are inside the supported zone, and try again later.
Important: A robotaxi is not guaranteed. Uber says eligible riders in select areas may be matched when a vehicle is available, even after they opt in to autonomous-vehicle preferences.[4]
How to book a Dubai Apollo Go robotaxi in Uber
- Update and open the Uber app.
- Enter your pickup point and destination.
- Check whether both points are in a supported part of Jumeirah or Umm Suqeim.[2]
- Look for the Autonomous ride option. Select it if available, review the pickup point and live fare, then confirm.[2]
- If Autonomous is not shown, request UberX or Uber Comfort; Uber says either category may match you with a fully driverless Apollo Go vehicle.[2]
- Follow the in-app pickup, boarding and trip instructions if an autonomous vehicle is assigned.
A second opt-in route may appear under Uber → Settings → Ride Preferences → Autonomous vehicles. Uber’s help page says this preference increases the chance of an autonomous match on future eligible trips but does not let you reserve one with certainty.[4]
Where does the service operate?
At launch, Uber listed only select locations in Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah and said the operating territory would expand later.[2] The announcement did not publish a street-by-street service map, so the most reliable availability check is to enter your actual pickup and destination in Uber.
If Autonomous does not appear, one or both points may be outside the current operating zone, a vehicle may not be available, or the feature may not be active for that trip. Do not assume that every address in the two named areas is covered.
What vehicle will pick you up?
The new option uses Baidu’s sixth-generation Apollo Go RT6, a purpose-built electric robotaxi. Uber says it accommodates up to three passengers and carries more than 30 sensors for perception and onboard processing.[2]
The Dubai launch is fully driverless, meaning there is no human safety driver behind the wheel.[2][3] New Horizon Luxury Transport is the fleet operator.[2]
Is it the only Dubai robotaxi on Uber?
No. Dubai’s autonomous network includes partnerships involving Apollo Go, WeRide and Pony.ai, according to the Dubai Government Media Office.[1] The new development is that Baidu’s fully driverless Apollo Go vehicles can now be matched and booked through Uber, in addition to Apollo Go’s own app.[2][3]
This distinction matters when choosing a ride: the Autonomous category may not always mean the same vehicle partner. Check the vehicle and operator details Uber displays before confirming and again before boarding.
Availability, fares and practical limits
Is a robotaxi guaranteed?
No. Uber says opting in raises your chances, while matching still depends on service area and vehicle availability.[4]
How much does it cost?
No fixed fare or special launch price was stated in the official Uber, Baidu or Dubai Government materials reviewed. Treat the fare shown in Uber for your specific route and time as the price to review before booking.
Can four passengers ride?
No. Uber’s launch release says the Apollo Go RT6 accommodates up to three passengers.[2]
Can it pick me up anywhere in Dubai?
Not at launch. Official availability is limited to select locations in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim.[2]
Troubleshooting: Autonomous option not showing
Work through this checklist:
- Update Uber from your phone’s app store.
- Re-enter both trip points rather than checking the ride screen without a route.
- Confirm that pickup and drop-off are in the named launch areas.
- Open Settings → Ride Preferences → Autonomous vehicles and opt in if the setting is available.[4]
- Check UberX and Uber Comfort, which may also produce an Apollo Go match.[2]
- Try another time; availability depends on vehicles being active nearby.[4]
There is no official public street list in the reviewed launch announcements. If the app does not offer an autonomous ride, book another available category rather than travelling to a guessed pickup zone.
What Dubai’s latest robotaxi milestone means
Dubai’s Government Media Office reports that the emirate’s robotaxi operations have passed 4 million kilometres and completed 7,613 passenger trips since launch. It also reports a fleet of 144 vehicles, with 48 in active operation and about 50 trips completed daily.[1]
Those figures cover Dubai’s broader robotaxi program, not only Apollo Go bookings made through Uber. They should not be read as the number of Apollo Go vehicles currently available for your trip.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a driverless taxi in the Uber app in Dubai?
Enter a supported route and select Autonomous if it appears. UberX and Uber Comfort requests may also be matched with a fully driverless Apollo Go RT6.[2]
Where are Uber Apollo Go rides available in Dubai?
The initial service area covers select locations in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim. Uber says the territory is planned to expand.[2]
Does the Apollo Go robotaxi have a driver?
No. The newly launched Apollo Go service on Uber is described by Uber and Baidu as fully driverless.[2][3]
How many people fit in an Apollo Go RT6?
Up to three passengers.[2]
Can I guarantee an autonomous Uber match?
No. Selecting Autonomous or opting in to the preference can increase the chance, but matching depends on supported areas and availability.[2][4]
Is Apollo Go available outside Uber?
Yes. Baidu says riders in Dubai can access its fully driverless service through either the Apollo Go app or Uber.[3]
Sources
[1] https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/august/19-08/dubai-accelerates-autonomous-mobility-as-robotaxi-hits-4-million-km — Dubai accelerates autonomous mobility as Robotaxi hits 4 m km, 97% satisfaction
[2] https://investor.uber.com/news-events/news/press-release-details/2026/Uber-Launches-Baidus-Fully-Driverless-Apollo-Go-in-Dubai-Establishing-the-First-Multi-Partner-Autonomous-Network-Globally/default.aspx — Uber Launches Baidu’s Fully Driverless Apollo Go in Dubai
[3] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baidus-apollo-go-goes-live-on-uber-in-dubai-offering-a-new-way-for-users-to-hail-fully-driverless-rides-302856106.html — Baidu’s Apollo Go Goes Live on Uber in Dubai
[4] https://help.uber.com/en/riders/article/autonomous-vehicle-preferences-faq?nodeId=ead8202d-1400-4ec2-8617-976cbe357f79 — Autonomous Vehicle Preferences FAQ | Uber Help