Dubai’s driverless taxi network is steadily expanding, and booking an autonomous ride is becoming easier. Thanks to a partnership between Uber and Apollo Go, eligible passengers can now request a fully autonomous vehicle directly through the Uber app in selected parts of the city.

If you’re curious about trying a ride without a driver behind the wheel, here’s how the service works.

How to book a driverless taxi

When booking an Uber, eligible journeys will show an ‘Autonomous’ option. Select it to request an Apollo Go self-driving vehicle.

For now, autonomous rides are available in a limited area around Jumeirah, covering the stretch between Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Mosque. Your pickup and drop-off locations therefore need to fall within the service zone.

Once the vehicle arrives, check the number plate, make and model against the details shown in the Uber app before getting inside.

After confirming the vehicle, tap ‘Unlock’ in the app to open the car and begin your ride.

What is inside the driverless taxi?

The service uses Apollo Go’s sixth-generation RT6, an all-electric robotaxi developed specifically for autonomous driving.

The vehicle can carry up to three passengers and uses more than 30 sensors to monitor its surroundings. These systems allow the car to detect its environment, process information in real time and navigate without a human driver.

What happens when you arrive?

The journey works much like a regular Uber trip. Once the vehicle reaches your destination, simply collect your belongings and exit the car.

As Dubai continues expanding its autonomous transport network, driverless taxis are expected to become increasingly accessible across the city, offering residents and visitors another way to get around without a traditional driver behind the wheel.

For now, though, if you want to try one, you’ll need to be travelling within the current Jumeirah service area and have an eligible ‘Autonomous’ option appear in your Uber app.