Chinese technology firm Baidu plans to introduce an autonomous ride-hailing service in the UAE by the end of 2025. This initiative will be executed through its unit, Apollo Go, which has signed an agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to commence testing and offering autonomous driving services in the emirate.

As part of this agreement, Apollo Go will deploy 100 fully autonomous RT6 robotaxis in Dubai by the specified deadline. Additionally, the company aims to expand its fleet to 1,000 vehicles by 2028. The operational tests and services will be conducted in compliance with local laws and tailored to meet the region’s specific needs, according to the statement from Baidu.

In a related development, Apollo Go has partnered with Autogo, a UAE-based autonomous mobility company and a subsidiary of Kintsugi Holding. This partnership will facilitate the launch of robotaxi service trials in Abu Dhabi, with full-scale operations expected to begin by 2026, as reported by the state-run Wam news agency.

The operational trials in Abu Dhabi will be coordinated with the Integrated Transport Centre to ensure alignment with local transport plans, regulations, and infrastructure requirements. Since February 2025, Apollo Go has been conducting 100 percent driverless operations across more than 10 cities in China, logging over 150 million kilometers of autonomous driving and fulfilling more than 10 million ride requests.