RoboTaxi Trials Begin in Capital Ahead of Full Service in 2026

Autogo, a UAE-based autonomous mobility service provided under Kintsugi Holding, has announced the RoboTaxi service trials in the capital, Abu Dhabi, before its full-service launch in 2026. This step comes within the strategic partnership with Apollo Go, an autonomous mobility subsidiary of Baidu, one of the leading companies in large-scale self-driving transportation globally. It aims to develop next-generation mobility technologies for the streets of Abu Dhabi.

The company has officially started the operational trials in coordination with Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre to ensure that the service adheres to the local transportation regulatory frameworks, strategies, and infrastructure requirements.

RoboTaxi vehicles can deliver a smart and seamless transportation experience specially designed to fulfill the needs of modern cities. With the integration of advanced electric design and autonomous driving systems, the vehicles offer precise and constant driving with real-time responsiveness to road conditions.

Autogo aims to simplify future mobility with its cutting-edge products and services. The deployment of RoboTaxi will further strengthen road safety by minimizing human driving errors, while the fully electric operations make it more sustainable and help in reducing passenger vehicle emissions, lower traffic congestion, and help to reimagine the future of smart cities and efficient urban transportation.

The sixth-generation RT6 RoboTaxi was specifically designed for autonomous ride-hailing purposes, offering a safer, smarter, and more comfortable design. Additionally, as the first company in China to offer fully autonomous ride-hailing, Apollo Go specializes in integrating advanced AI, big data, and automation to support the development of smart cities.

Related: Electric Cars in UAE

MD Kintsugi Holding Sean Teo said that the launch of RoboTaxi trials in Abu Dhabi showcases the beginning of a large-scale transformation in urban mobility. He further added that the launch of autonomous ride-hailing services will serve two purposes: one is enhancing road safety, and another is achieving more sustainable transportation.

The trials are being held in collaboration with Apollo Go with the goal of testing performance in real-world scenarios, engaging with the public, and preparing for mass deployment of technology across Abu Dhabi by 2026.

UAE aims to become a leader in the smart mobility ecosystem to boost sustainability and adopt cutting-edge technologies. Dubai already began supervised testing of autonomous vehicles on its roads in October 2023 in collaboration with US-based self-driving tech company Cruise, which is backed by the GM and Honda, after securing a trial permit.

Uber and WeRide launched commercial autonomous mobility services in December. The capital of UAE already has a fleet of autonomous taxis on Yas Island, operated by TXAI.