Baidu's Apollo Go Granted Dubai's First Batch of Autonomous Driving Test Licenses, Conducts On-Road Trials in Urban Dubai

Rhea-AI Summary

Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU) has achieved a significant milestone as its autonomous ride-hailing platform, Apollo Go, received Dubai's first autonomous driving trial permit and 50 test licenses from Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The company has already begun testing its 50-vehicle fleet on Dubai's open roads since August 2025, featuring its sixth-generation autonomous vehicles (RT6).

As the sole platform conducting open-road trials at the 4th Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, Apollo Go plans to expand its fleet to over 1,000 fully driverless vehicles by 2028. The company brings substantial experience with 200 million kilometers of safe driving and 14 million autonomous rides provided globally, including fully driverless urban deployment in China.

Positive

• First company to receive Dubai's autonomous driving trial permit and 50 test licenses
• Plans to expand to over 1,000 fully driverless vehicles in Dubai by 2028
• Impressive track record with 200 million kilometers of safe driving and 14 million autonomous rides
• Successful global expansion with presence in multiple markets including Hong Kong

Negative

• None.

• Apollo Go has been granted Dubai's very first autonomous driving trial permit, along with the first batch of 50 autonomous driving test licenses.
• With this first batch of licenses, Apollo Go's 50-vehicle fleet has been conducting open-road testing in designated areas in Dubai since August. At the 4th Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, Apollo Go is the sole platform running trials on open roads with its sixth-generation autonomous vehicles (RT6).
• Apollo Go and the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai plan to expand the fleet to more than 1,000 fully driverless vehicles over the next three years.

DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Baidu Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU and HKEX: 9888) today announced that its autonomous ride-hailing platform, Apollo Go, has been granted Dubai's very first autonomous driving trial permit, along with the first batch of 50 autonomous driving test licenses issued by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai.

The trial permit and 50 licenses were granted to the company earlier in July, authorizing Apollo Go to deploy its vehicles in urban Dubai. Following the permit, Apollo Go's 50-vehicle fleet has commenced trials in designated areas on open roads of Dubai since August. The announcement was made at the 4th Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, where Apollo Go is the sole platform permitted to run self-driving trials on open roads, providing exclusive trial rides in its sixth-generation autonomous vehicles (RT6).

"We are honored to bring this new dimension to Dubai's public transportation ecosystem, following our partnership with the RTA in March," said Liang Zhang, Managing Director of EMEA, Baidu Apollo. "Leveraging our autonomous driving technologies and fleet operation expertise, we will conduct all required testing and operations to enable seamless localization. Together with the RTA, we aim to co-build a global benchmark for intelligent transportation and contribute to solidifying Dubai's position as a world-leading autonomous city."

This permit represents a historic moment — signifying Apollo Go's position as the first platform allowed to operate a sizable fleet in urban Dubai. This rapid execution follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Apollo Go and the RTA earlier this year, demonstrating timely, on-plan implementation in Apollo Go's global expansion and further solidifying its leadership in autonomous driving ride-hailing services worldwide.

Looking ahead, Apollo Go and the RTA plan to expand the fleet to more than 1,000 fully driverless vehicles by 2028, aligning with Dubai's vision to accelerate the adoption of autonomous mobility in future urban infrastructure.

This first batch of licenses from Dubai marks the latest milestone in Apollo Go's global expansion. In November 2024, Apollo Go was also granted the very first autonomous driving test license in Hong Kong, its debut in a right-hand-drive market.

Baidu's Apollo Go brings unparalleled operational expertise and advanced autonomous driving technology to the partnership, with a record of 200 million kilometers of safe driving, 14 million autonomous rides provided to the public, and 100% fully driverless urban deployment in China. As Apollo Go continues to scale internationally, the company remains committed to delivering safe, green, and intelligent mobility services in collaboration with global partners to drive the future of urban transportation.

About Baidu

Founded in 2000, Baidu's mission is to make the complicated world simpler through technology. Baidu is a leading AI company with strong Internet foundation, trading on the NASDAQ under "BIDU" and HKEX under "9888." One Baidu ADS represents eight Class A ordinary shares.

Media Contact
Intlcomm@baidu.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baidus-apollo-go-granted-dubais-first-batch-of-autonomous-driving-test-licenses-conducts-on-road-trials-in-urban-dubai-302565963.html

SOURCE Baidu, Inc.

FAQ

What autonomous driving permits did Baidu (BIDU) receive in Dubai?

Baidu's Apollo Go received Dubai's first autonomous driving trial permit and 50 test licenses from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in July 2025.

How many autonomous vehicles is Baidu (BIDU) testing in Dubai?

Apollo Go is currently testing a 50-vehicle fleet in designated areas on Dubai's open roads, with plans to expand to over 1,000 fully driverless vehicles by 2028.

What is Apollo Go's track record in autonomous driving?

Apollo Go has achieved 200 million kilometers of safe driving, provided 14 million autonomous rides, and maintains 100% fully driverless urban deployment in China.

When did Baidu's Apollo Go start testing in Dubai?

Apollo Go began conducting trials in designated areas on Dubai's open roads in August 2025, following the receipt of permits in July 2025.

What type of vehicles is Baidu using for autonomous testing in Dubai?

Apollo Go is using its sixth-generation autonomous vehicles (RT6) for the open-road trials in Dubai.