Chinese Tech Giant Baidu’s Driverless Apollo Go Joins Uber in Dubai

Chinese technology company Baidu’s fully driverless Apollo Go robotaxis are now available through Uber in Dubai. Riders requesting UberX or Uber Comfort may be matched with an Apollo Go vehicle, while selecting the dedicated ‘Autonomous’ option in the Uber app increases the chances of receiving a robotaxi.

The service is initially available in selected areas of Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah, with plans to expand its operating zone.

New Horizon Luxury Transport is operating the fleet, which uses Baidu’s sixth-generation RT6. The fully electric robotaxi can carry up to three passengers and is equipped with more than 30 sensors for environmental perception and onboard data processing.

The Dubai rollout is the first deployment under a multiyear partnership between Uber and Baidu, which plans to expand Apollo Go vehicles across Uber’s wider global network.

It also marks the first international market where Baidu is operating both its own autonomous ride-hailing model and a partner-based service through Uber.

Apollo Go currently operates in 28 cities and has covered more than 350 million autonomous kilometres, including over 240 million kilometres without a safety driver.

Uber said all autonomous vehicles operating through its platform must meet the company’s safety requirements before deployment. The service joins Dubai’s wider push towards autonomous mobility, with the emirate targeting 25% of all transport trips to be autonomous by 2030.