Robotaxis Coming to Sheikh Zayed Road by March 2026—Confirmed by RTA
Robotaxis will begin service on Sheikh Zayed Road by March 2026, according to Dubai’s RTA, marking a regional first in autonomous mobility. The autonomous taxi project will be the first of its kind in the Middle East, transforming how residents commute.
RTA Confirms Rollout Timeline
Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency at RTA, confirmed that robotaxis will begin public service by March 2026. The launch will start with self-driving Cruise Origin vehicles, operated by Cruise (a subsidiary of General Motors), in partnership with Dubai’s RTA.
These vehicles are fully autonomous with no steering wheel or pedals. The first batch will hit Sheikh Zayed Road and surrounding districts, such as Jumeirah, during the initial phase. The initiative is part of Dubai’s strategy to convert 25% of all transport trips to smart and driverless mobility by 2030.
Robotaxi Trials Already Underway
RTA began testing autonomous vehicles in Jumeirah 1 in early 2023, using simulation and road mapping to prepare for real-world deployment. Cruise also sent its vehicles for mapping and software training in Dubai’s driving environment.
Initial trials focused on:
- Mapping traffic behavior on Sheikh Zayed Road
- Monitoring how pedestrians interact with autonomous vehicles
- Fine-tuning ride stability and stopping accuracy
While full test data hasn’t been released, RTA reports a high success rate in route recognition and obstacle detection.
What to Expect from a Robotaxi Ride in Dubai
Imagine this: It’s a hot summer evening in 2026. You open the Cruise app and hail a robotaxi. A sleek, driverless vehicle pulls up curbside in Downtown Dubai. No driver greets you. Just a voice prompt. The doors slide open. Inside, there’s comfy seating for four, interactive screens, and soft ambient lighting.
You input your destination: Dubai Marina. As the car glides onto Sheikh Zayed Road, it adjusts speed automatically, navigates traffic with ease, and avoids sudden lane changes. You relax, watch the skyline pass by, and arrive at your stop. No driver, steering wheel, or stress.
Global Partners Behind Dubai’s Robotaxis
Dubai’s robotaxi project is powered by Cruise and General Motors, in collaboration with the RTA. Cruise already operates driverless taxis in San Francisco and Phoenix. Dubai will be the first international city to launch Cruise vehicles outside the US. This partnership highlights Dubai’s role as a global testbed for cutting-edge mobility.
Conclusion
Dubai’s rollout of robotaxis by 2026 on Sheikh Zayed Road is more than a tech upgrade. It is a revolution in urban mobility. Backed by global partners and local trials, this move will bring smarter, safer, and more sustainable rides to residents.
Would you hop into a robotaxi without a driver? Tell us in the comments. For more UAE transport news, follow the Arabwheels Blog.