Baidu Expands Apollo Go Robotaxi Service to Dubai

Chinese tech giant Baidu has announced plans to expand its autonomous taxi service, Apollo Go, to the Middle East, starting with Dubai. According to an agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), around 100 fully autonomous vehicles are expected to be operational by the end of 2025. Baidu aims to significantly increase its fleet in Dubai, reaching 1,000 robotaxis by 2028. This marks the first time Apollo Go is entering a market outside mainland China and Hong Kong.

Currently, Apollo Go operates successfully in 11 Chinese cities, including Wuhan, where more than 400 autonomous vehicles have already completed over 8 million trips. Baidu CEO Robin Li emphasized that the company’s self-driving system is “ten times safer than human drivers.”

This initiative aligns with Dubai’s strategy to make 25% of its urban transportation autonomous by 2030. Baidu plans to take advantage of Dubai’s favorable regulatory environment to introduce self-driving vehicles, providing residents and tourists with a new mode of transportation.

The introduction of Apollo Go in Dubai represents a major step forward in the region’s autonomous transport sector, offering innovative and safe mobility solutions for both residents and visitors.