Abu Dhabi and Dubai: Baidu’s Apollo Go partners with local firms to deploy the largest fleets of Level 4 driverless vehicles, starting trials in 2025 and aiming for full operations by 2026. The initiative supports UAE smart city ambitions and sustainable urban mobility in the Gulf.
Baidu’s Apollo Go is making significant strides in its international expansion by partnering with the UAE-based company Autogo to launch what is poised to be the largest fleet of driverless vehicles in Abu Dhabi. This groundbreaking initiative is set to begin with trials involving dozens of autonomous vehicles across selected areas, with the goal of commencing full commercial operations by 2026. The collaboration is strategically aligned with Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre, which aims to support the emirate’s smart mobility objectives while ensuring compliance with local regulations.
Baidu’s Apollo Go, the largest robotaxi platform in China, has already achieved remarkable milestones, having offered fully driverless rides in over ten cities since early 2025, alongside securing a pilot licence in Hong Kong. The service has reported completing over 150 million kilometres of safe driving and delivering ten million rides globally, all while providing an all-electric, on-demand transport option that helps to mitigate traffic congestion and reduce emissions.
This partnership represents more than just a technological advancement; it reinforces Abu Dhabi’s ambitions to evolve as a smart city. The initiative is seen as a pivotal step in enhancing autonomous mobility services within the Gulf region, providing a glimpse into future transportation models that rely on advanced AI and machine learning technologies.
Further expanding Baidu’s reach in the Middle East, Hesai Technology has announced that its proprietary lidar systems will power the deployment of over 1,000 Level 4 autonomous vehicles in Dubai. The introduction of these vehicles is expected to accelerate the adoption of safe and intelligent driverless solutions, showcasing the effectiveness of Hesai’s technology in navigating complex urban environments. This integration not only highlights Baidu’s commitment to expanding its services internationally but also reflects the city of Dubai’s comprehensive strategy to lead in the realm of autonomous mobility.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has likewise committed to fostering international partnerships for deploying autonomous taxis. This strategy includes collaborations with major tech players like Uber and WeRide, illustrating a concerted effort to place Dubai at the forefront of global advancements in autonomous driving technology. The RTA envisions transforming 25% of its transportation to autonomous means by 2030, underscoring a forward-thinking approach that seeks to enhance both urban mobility and overall quality of life for its residents.
As for the immediate future, Baidu’s Apollo Go will kick off trials in Dubai with an initial fleet of 100 robotaxis expected to hit the roads by the end of 2025. The ambitious plan extends to scaling up to at least 1,000 autonomous vehicles by 2028, thus aligning with the Dubai government’s aspirations for an integrated autonomous transport system that can serve as a model for urban centres around the world.
Through these efforts, both Abu Dhabi and Dubai are positioning themselves as central hubs for autonomous technology, potentially signalling a new era of smart, efficient urban mobility solutions in the Gulf region. With Baidu at the helm of these initiatives, the continuous push towards driverless technology highlights not only a business expansion but also a commitment to sustainable transportation solutions that can redefine urban living in the decades to come.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.techinasia.com/baidus-apollo-go-uae-mobility-firm-partner-for-driverless-fleet – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.hesaitech.com/hesai-lidar-exclusively-powers-baidu-apollo-gos-deployment-of-over-1000-l4-autonomous-vehicles-in-dubai/ – Hesai Technology announced that its lidar solution will power Baidu’s Apollo Go’s deployment of over 1,000 Level 4 autonomous vehicles in Dubai. This partnership aims to accelerate the global adoption of safe and intelligent driverless solutions, with the fleet expected to scale to 1,000 vehicles, demonstrating the reliability and performance of Hesai’s lidar technology in enabling Level 4 autonomous driving in complex environments. Apollo Go’s RT6 robotaxis have already achieved impressive operational efficiency in China with a 60% cost reduction compared to previous generations.
- https://www.emirates247.com/uae/rta-expands-global-partnerships-to-operate-autonomous-taxis-in-dubai-in-collaboration-with-uber-weride-and-baidu-apollo-go-2025-04-02-1.738485 – Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has expanded its global partnerships with leading autonomous driving technology providers to deploy autonomous taxis in Dubai. The collaboration includes a strategic partnership with Uber Technologies, Inc., and WeRide, who will launch autonomous vehicles in Dubai through the Uber platform. Alongside China’s Baidu, through its autonomous mobility arm, Apollo Go, one of the world’s foremost providers of self-driving solutions and autonomous ride-hailing services. This initiative forms part of RTA’s broader strategy to establish Dubai as a global pioneer in autonomous mobility and support its vision to become the smartest city and the best place to live and work worldwide.
- https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/baidus-apollo-go-to-deploy-100-robotaxis-in-dubai-by-2025-93CH-3955119 – Baidu Inc. announced a strategic agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to introduce its autonomous ride-hailing platform, Apollo Go, to the Middle East. The collaboration will see the deployment of 100 Apollo Go autonomous vehicles in Dubai by the end of 2025, marking the company’s first fleet outside mainland China and Hong Kong. The launch in Dubai is part of Apollo Go’s global expansion strategy and follows the platform’s successful operation in China, where it has provided over 10 million rides. The agreement also includes plans to expand the fleet to at least 1,000 autonomous vehicles by 2028, supporting Dubai’s goal to convert 25% of its transportation to autonomous mode by 2030.
- https://gulfbusiness.com/future-of-mobility-robotaxi-service-trials-launched-in-abu-dhabi/ – Autogo, a UAE-based autonomous mobility solutions company, has announced the launch of its RoboTaxi service trials in Abu Dhabi. The company, operating under Kintsugi Holding, has announced the launch in preparation for full-scale operations by 2026. The launch aligns with a strategic partnership with Apollo Go, the autonomous mobility subsidiary of Baidu, one of the world’s leading companies in large-scale self-driving transportation. The launch aims to bring next-generation mobility technologies to the streets of Abu Dhabi.
- https://www.gulf-insider.com/dubai-to-launch-self-driving-taxis/ – Dubai is set to begin self-driving taxi trials before a public launch of service in 2026. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing service Apollo Go to roll out autonomous taxis on a large scale across the emirate. The company will begin the experimental operation of 50 autonomous vehicles in the coming months, paving the way for the official public launch of the service in 2026.
- https://www.rttnews.com/3525240/baidu-s-apollo-go-expands-to-dubai-with-autonomous-ride-hailing-service.aspx – Baidu Inc. announced that its autonomous ride-hailing platform, Apollo Go, has partnered with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to introduce self-driving vehicle testing and services in the city. This marks Apollo Go’s first international fleet deployment outside China and Hong Kong and its entry into the Middle East. Under the agreement, Apollo Go will deploy 100 fully autonomous RT6 robotaxis in urban Dubai by the end of 2025, with plans to scale the fleet to at least 1,000 by 2028. The initiative aligns with Dubai’s vision of making 25% of transportation autonomous by 2030.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, as it discusses ongoing partnerships and future plans for 2025 and beyond. However, some details may be influenced by previous announcements or reporting.
Quotes check
Score:
0
Notes:
There are no direct quotes in the text to verify.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Tech in Asia, a reputable technology news platform. The references also include other established news sources.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about Baidu’s expansion and partnerships are plausible given the increasing interest in autonomous technology in the region. The narrative aligns with known goals of Abu Dhabi and Dubai in enhancing smart mobility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is largely reliable, with a recent focus and plausible claims about Baidu’s expansion into the UAE. The absence of direct quotes and some potential for recycled information are noted but do not significantly impact the overall assessment.
