China’s Baidu to launch robotaxis in UAE

Chinese tech company Baidu, which is listed on the US Nasdaq stock exchange, is planning to launch an autonomous ride-hailing service in the UAE by the end of 2025, according to a statement.

Apollo Go, a Baidu unit, has signed an agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to start autonomous driving testing and services in the emirate, the statement said.

As part of the deal, Apollo Go will deploy 100 fully autonomous vehicles, the RT6 robotaxi, in Dubai by the end of 2025, with plans to scale the fleet to 1,000 by 2028.

Tests and services will be conducted in line with Dubai law and adapted for regional needs to ensure localised operation, the statement said.

Meanwhile, Apollo Go signed a partnership with Autogo, a UAE autonomous mobility company and a subsidiary of Kintsugi Holding, to launch its robotaxi service trials in Abu Dhabi.

Full-scale operations are planned by 2026, state-run Wam reported.

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The operational trials are being conducted in coordination with Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre to ensure the service meets local transport plans, regulations, and infrastructure requirements.

Apollo Go has started 100 percent driverless operations across more than 10 cities in China since February 2025. Its fleet has logged over 150 million km of autonomous driving and has exceeded 10 million autonomous ride orders.