Robotaxis are no longer just experimental. In the United States, China, and Dubai, autonomous services are already transporting passengers. London is also preparing for the arrival of driverless taxis, while Waymo, Baidu, WeRide, and Zoox are accelerating their deployments. For tourism, the issue becomes concrete as these vehicles begin to serve areas frequented by travelers.
Summary
Robotaxis are now reaching significant volumes
In the United States, Waymo is now one of the most advanced operators. In May 2026, the London Assembly reported that the company was handling approximately 500,000 paid rides per week with more than 3,000 vehicles operating in 11 American cities.
In China, Apollo Go, Baidu's robotaxi service, recorded 3.4 million fully driverless rides in the fourth quarter of 2025. This volume represented a year-over-year increase of more than 200%. By the end of April 2026, Baidu reported having surpassed 22 million cumulative rides for the public.
These figures primarily demonstrate that Robotaxi is changing scale. It is no longer just about demonstration vehicles traveling a few kilometers, but about services capable of completing several hundred thousand journeys each week.
Dubai is already operating driverless robotaxis
Dubai reached a significant milestone on March 31, 2026. WeRide and Uber launched paid commercial rides without a human operator on board in the Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim districts.
Passengers can book these vehicles directly through the Uber app via a dedicated autonomous ride category. These coastal areas are also frequented by visitors, which already places Robotaxis in an environment directly linked to tourist travel.
WeRide and Uber have also announced the deployment of at least 1,200 Robotaxis in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh, with a target of completion by 2027, subject to the necessary permits.
London could become the next big European test
The UK does not yet operate commercial Robotaxis comparable to those available in the US or the UAE.
The situation could, however, change rapidly. The London Assembly confirmed in May 2026 that several trials were underway in the British capital and that some operators were aiming for a commercial launch before the end of the year.
Waymo is already testing its vehicles on London roads with safety specialists on board. Uber and Wayve, as well as partnerships involving Baidu, Lyft, and Uber, have also been in discussions with Transport for London about future automated services.
According to the specialized press, London appears to be one of the most advanced European markets in this area. However, at this stage, widespread commercial deployment is not yet guaranteed. Operators must obtain the necessary authorizations under the British framework.
Safety becomes Waymo's main selling point
The issue of safety remains central. Waymo published an analysis in June 2026 covering more than 220 million miles driven in fully autonomous mode up to the end of March.
According to company data, its vehicles were involved in 94% fewer collisions resulting in serious injury or death than comparable human drivers in the same areas and over equivalent distances.
This statistic is important, but it comes from Waymo itself. Therefore, it should be presented as data published by the operator and not as an independent conclusion on the safety of all Robotaxis.
Zoox has just overcome a regulatory hurdle in the United States
On July 30, 2026, Zoox, a subsidiary of Amazon, obtained a temporary exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for its autonomous vehicle without a steering wheel and pedals.
This decision allows the company to commercially operate up to 2,500 vehicles per year for two years. Reuters reports that Zoox can now charge for rides taken with these vehicles in the United States, with the first commercial launch planned for Las Vegas.
The Zoox case is particularly interesting because its vehicle is not a traditional car transformed into a Robotaxi. It was designed from the outset to transport only passengers, with seats arranged facing each other and without a conventional driver's seat.
Robotaxis: Cruise reminds everyone that the race is not yet won
Recent history, however, suggests caution. Cruise, once considered one of Waymo's main competitors, is no longer involved in the commercial development of Robotaxis.
General Motors announced in December 2024 that it would no longer fund this activity, believing that its development required too much time and capital in a market that had become highly competitive. GM subsequently integrated Cruise into its technology business and is now focusing more on driver assistance systems and future autonomous personal vehicles.
This withdrawal serves as a reminder that a Robotaxi's success depends not only on the quality of its software. Regulations, safety, operating costs, vehicle production, and the ability to reach a sufficient scale remain crucial factors.
Why robotaxis are starting to affect tourism
It would be premature to claim that robotaxis will replace taxis, ride-hailing services, or airport shuttles. However, some tourist uses are already emerging in areas where commercial services exist.
In Dubai, WeRide vehicles accessible via Uber operate primarily in tourist areas. In London, Waymo indicates it is working on a service that could be used for airport transfers, although this is still in the planning stages.
For tourism professionals, the key point to monitor is therefore less the vehicle itself than its integration into booking and mobility platforms. Uber already distributes WeRide robotaxis in Dubai and is forging numerous partnerships with several autonomous vehicle specialists.
France remains at a distance
As of August 4, 2026, no Robotaxis commercial service comparable to those in Dubai, China or certain American cities has been announced in France.
The eventual arrival of such services will depend on the regulatory framework, local permits, and the choices of operators. For the moment, London represents a much more concrete indicator of how robotaxis could begin to take hold in Europe.
Sources
- https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-london-assembly-does/london-assembly-work/london-assembly-current-investigations/autonomous-passenger-vehicles-london
- https://ir.baidu.com/news-releases/news-release-details/baidu-announces-fourth-quarter-and-fiscal-year-2025-results/
- https://ir.baidu.com/news-releases/news-release-details/baidu-announces-first-quarter-2026-results/
- https://investor.uber.com/news-events/news/press-release-details/2026/WeRide-and-Uber-Launch-Fully-Driverless-Robotaxi-Fare-Charging-Operations-in-Dubai-Accelerating-Autonomous-Mobility-in-the-Middle-East-2026-NSiF0EFKhd/default.aspx
- https://ir.weride.ai/news-releases/news-release-details/weride-and-uber-deploy-1200-robotaxis-middle-east
- https://waymo.com/blog/shorts/safetydata-june26/
- https://waymo.com/blog/shorts/autonomous-driving-in-london/
- https://www.reuters.com/world/amazons-zoox-wins-first-us-approval-paid-robotaxis-with-no-human-controls-2026-07-30/
- https://investor.gm.com/news-releases/news-release-details/gm-refocus-autonomous-driving-development-personal-vehicles/
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