On January 6, 2026, Apollo Go received Dubai's first permit for fully driverless testing from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), becoming the only platform currently approved to conduct fully driverless tests in the city. It plans to expand its driverless fleet to over 1,000 vehicles.
Photo source: Apollo Go
The same day, Apollo Go formally opened its first overseas integrated autonomous-driving operations base in Dubai. The site covers core functions including vehicle operations, maintenance and safety management, enabling scaled operations of a fully driverless fleet.
Photo source: Apollo Go
Since signing a strategic cooperation agreement with Dubai's RTA in March 2025, Apollo Go has moved quickly in the city. In July 2025, it obtained Dubai autonomous-driving test license No. 001 and formed an initial test fleet; in September, its fleet was the only service offering public test rides at the 4th Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport. Securing the fully driverless testing permit and bringing the operations base online mark a key step in the partners' roadmap.
Dubai's RTA said deeper cooperation with Apollo Go will advance the city's smart mobility strategy, providing new options for residents and tourists. The two sides will continue to strengthen ties to make Dubai a global benchmark for smart transport innovation.
Public data show that as of October 31, 2025, Apollo Go's autonomous ride-hailing service covered 22 cities worldwide, completed more than 17 million rides, processed over 250,000 fully driverless rides per week, and exceeded 240 million km of autonomous driving.
