Baidu and Uber Launch Autonomous Ride-Hailing in Dubai
Event summary
- Baidu and Uber will launch Apollo Go autonomous ride-hailing in Dubai via the Uber app, starting in the Jumeirah area.
- The service is expected to debut within a month, with expansion contingent on operational learnings and regulatory approvals.
- Dubai aims for 25% of all transportation trips to be autonomous by 2030, aligning with this initiative.
- Apollo Go has logged over 240 million autonomous kilometers globally, with 17 million cumulative rides as of October 2025.
The big picture
This partnership extends Baidu’s Apollo Go service into a key international market while leveraging Uber’s existing ride-hailing infrastructure. The move reflects broader industry trends toward autonomous urban mobility solutions, with Dubai positioning itself as a testing ground for scalable AV adoption. The collaboration also underscores the strategic importance of third-party fleet operators like New Horizon in managing autonomous vehicle deployments.
What we're watching
- Regulatory Approvals
- The pace at which Dubai’s RTA grants broader regulatory approvals will determine the service’s expansion beyond Jumeirah.
- Operational Scaling
- Whether Baidu and Uber can sustain high operational efficiency with New Horizon managing the fleet.
- Market Adoption
- How consumer uptake in Dubai will influence similar deployments in other global markets, including London.
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