Dubai, UAE – 31 August 2026: DiDi Autonomous Driving has begun fully driverless service trials with its next-generation Robotaxi R2, marking a significant milestone as the company advances from technology validation toward real-world autonomous mobility operations and prepares for international deployment.
The development comes as DiDi Autonomous Driving moves forward with plans to begin testing in the United Arab Emirates, its first international market, while expanding its global autonomous mobility ambitions.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, DiDi Autonomous Driving began round-the-clock fully driverless passenger testing in selected demonstration areas across Guangzhou and Beijing. Operations have continued safely and steadily, providing the company with valuable experience in managing autonomous passenger services in complex urban environments.
Building on this operational foundation, the R2 has been jointly developed by DiDi Autonomous Driving and GAC Aion as a purpose-built Robotaxi designed for global deployment. The vehicle combines DiDi Autonomous Driving’s Level 4 full-stack software and hardware capabilities with a dedicated vehicle platform engineered specifically for driverless passenger services, with a focus on safety, operational efficiency and passenger experience.
The next-generation Robotaxi is equipped with 33 sensors, including LiDAR, cameras, 4D millimeter-wave radar, infrared cameras and audio sensors, enabling comprehensive perception across a wide range of driving environments. Its triple-domain fusion central computing platform delivers more than 2,000 TOPS of GPU computing power, supporting faster and lower-latency decision-making in complex urban conditions.
The R2 vehicle platform also meets five-star safety standards in both China and Europe through C-NCAP and Euro NCAP requirements and incorporates a multi-layer redundancy system designed to support safe autonomous operations.
Beyond autonomous-driving technology, the R2 has been developed around the passenger experience. The vehicle maximizes rear-seat space and features high-angle adjustable seats for enhanced comfort. A 17.3-inch ceiling-mounted screen provides entertainment options, while an AI-powered voice interaction system enables passengers to complete PIN verification and start their journey, adjust air conditioning, open windows and control ambient lighting through voice commands.
These features reflect DiDi Autonomous Driving’s approach to Robotaxi development, combining advanced autonomous-driving capabilities with an intuitive, comfortable and passenger-focused mobility experience.
The UAE is set to play a central role in DiDi Autonomous Driving’s international expansion. In April 2026, during the China-UAE Business Promotion Event, the company confirmed that it was working with local partners to advance Robotaxi applications, with local testing and pilot initiatives planned within the year.
The company’s expansion plans align with the UAE’s growing focus on smart and autonomous mobility. Dubai’s Autonomous Transportation Strategy aims to shift 25% of total transportation in the emirate to autonomous mode by 2030, with taxis identified as a priority application sector.
DiDi Autonomous Driving has also joined Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster and established a strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). The collaboration aims to support innovative autonomous-driving applications, AI talent development and the growth of the wider smart mobility ecosystem.
The latest milestone comes as autonomous transportation continues to move from vision to operational reality across the UAE. On 19 August 2026, the Government of Dubai Media Office reported that Robotaxi operations in Dubai had collectively travelled more than four million kilometres autonomously and completed 7,613 driverless passenger trips since launch, achieving a 97% customer satisfaction rate. Dubai’s Robotaxi fleet currently includes 144 vehicles, with 48 in active operation.
For DiDi Autonomous Driving, the opportunity in the UAE extends beyond introducing a new autonomous vehicle. The company aims to work with local partners to adapt its technology, operating model and passenger experience to the needs of the market while supporting the UAE’s broader smart mobility ambitions.
The fully driverless service trials of the R2 provide a foundation for this next phase, demonstrating how purpose-built autonomous vehicles can operate in complex urban environments through integrated vehicle engineering, AI capabilities and disciplined fleet operations.
As DiDi Autonomous Driving expands internationally, the company aims to bring its autonomous mobility expertise to new markets while contributing to the development of safer, more intelligent and sustainable transport ecosystems in the UAE and beyond.
Leave a Reply