Baidu’s autonomous ride‑hailing platform Apollo Go, in partnership with UAE‑based AutoGo, has obtained Abu Dhabi’s inaugural fully driverless commercial permit, allowing the fleet to operate robotaxi services for residents and visitors. The permit, issued on November 11, 2025, authorizes the deployment of a fleet that the partners plan to grow to several hundred vehicles by 2026, positioning Baidu as the emirate’s largest fully driverless operator.
The approval follows a year of public‑road testing that began in March, during which Apollo Go logged 240 million autonomous kilometers and delivered more than 250,000 rides per week, totaling 17 million rides as of October 31, 2025. The permit removes the last regulatory hurdle for commercial operations, enabling the company to monetize its technology in a high‑growth market and to demonstrate the scalability of its multi‑sensor platform in a complex urban environment.
Strategically, the move expands Baidu’s global footprint and strengthens its competitive stance against rivals such as Waymo and Tesla. By leveraging a local partner, Baidu can navigate Abu Dhabi’s regulatory framework more efficiently than a foreign entrant could alone. The partnership also aligns with Baidu’s broader international strategy, which includes deployments in Dubai, Switzerland, Germany, the UK, Singapore, and Malaysia. The permit signals that Baidu’s open‑source Apollo platform is ready for large‑scale commercial use outside China.
Liang Zhang, Managing Director of EMEA for Baidu Apollo, said the permit “demonstrates the strong support for autonomous mobility in the UAE and confirms the effectiveness of our partnership model.” Sean Teo, Managing Director of K2 (AutoGo’s parent company), added that the collaboration “will transform the UAE’s mobility landscape and establish Abu Dhabi as a global leader in smart transportation.” These comments underscore the joint commitment to scaling the fleet and delivering reliable, safe robotaxi services.
The broader autonomous‑vehicle market remains highly competitive, with Chinese firms such as WeRide and Geely‑backed CaoCao Mobility also expanding in the UAE. Abu Dhabi’s proactive regulatory stance—issuing its first fully driverless commercial permits—positions the emirate as a testing ground for next‑generation mobility. Baidu’s success here may accelerate similar approvals in other Middle Eastern markets and reinforce its position as a global leader in autonomous technology.
The content on BeyondSPX is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. We are not financial advisors. Consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. Any actions you take based on information from this site are solely at your own risk.