Baidu's Apollo Go enters the Middle East

Chinese tech heavyweight Baidu Inc announced on Saturday that its autonomous ride-hailing platform Apollo Go has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, to launch autonomous driving testing and services in the city.

As part of the agreement, Apollo Go will deploy 100 fully autonomous vehicles in urban Dubai by the end of 2025, using its 6th-generation robotaxi, with plans to expand the fleet to no fewer than 1,000 by 2028.

The move marks Apollo Go's first international fleet deployment outside the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and its first entry into the Middle East, Baidu said.

All tests and services will be conducted in line with Dubai's local laws and adapt to regional needs. The collaboration aims to integrate autonomous ride-hailing into Dubai's broader transportation ecosystem, offering enhanced mobility services for residents and contributing to the city's intelligent infrastructure goals.

Apollo Go also said it has inked a strategic partnership with Autogo, a UAE-based autonomous mobility company, with the goal of deploying the largest fully driverless fleet in Abu Dhabi.

Initial trials of dozens of Apollo Go autonomous vehicles will be deployed in selected areas of Abu Dhabi, with phased expansion planned ahead of full commercial operations by 2026.

The trials in Abu Dhabi will be conducted in close coordination with the city's Integrated Transport Centre, ensuring that the service aligns with local transport strategies, regulatory standards, and infrastructure planning.

Looking ahead, Apollo Go and Autogo will work together to scale commercial operations of robotaxi services to serve more users and contribute to Abu Dhabi's smart city vision.