Uber Launches Baidu’s Fully Driverless Apollo Go in Dubai, Establishing the First Multi-Partner Autonomous Network Globally

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A robotaxi is a self-driving vehicle designed to transport passengers without a human driver. It operates autonomously, using sensors and computers to navigate roads and pick up riders, similar to a taxi service but without a driver. For investors, robotaxis represent a potential shift in transportation, promising lower costs and new opportunities in mobility services.

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Autonomous ride-hailing is a passenger transport service that uses self-driving vehicles summoned by an app, functioning like a robot chauffeur that picks up and drops off riders without a human driver behind the wheel. Investors care because shifting to driverless fleets can greatly reduce labor costs and change capital, regulatory and safety risk profiles, which can materially affect a company’s margins, growth potential and long-term valuation.

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• Baidu's fully driverless Apollo Go vehicles are now available to riders on the Uber platform in Dubai, the first market where this partnership comes to reality.
• Riders may be matched with an Apollo Go vehicle when booking Uber Comfort or UberX, or by selecting the "Autonomous" option in the Uber app.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Uber Technologies, Inc (NYSE: UBER) today announced that Baidu, Inc.’s (NASDAQ: BIDU and HKEX: 9888) fully driverless Apollo Go vehicles are officially available to riders on the Uber platform in Dubai, with New Horizon Luxury Transport serving as the fleet operator. This milestone reinforces Uber’s position as the platform of choice for autonomous vehicles (AVs) and marks a leap forward in expanding autonomous technology worldwide. As the inaugural step in a multi-year strategic partnership, Dubai serves as the launchpad for scaling thousands of Apollo Go vehicles across Uber’s global network.

Apollo Go’s sixth-generation RT6 is a purpose-built, fully electric robotaxi designed for fully driverless operations

Starting today, riders in Dubai requesting an UberX or Uber Comfort may be matched with a fully driverless Apollo Go vehicle. To increase the chances of being matched with a robotaxi, riders can also select the dedicated “Autonomous” option directly in the Uber app. At initial launch, the fully autonomous service will be available in select locations in Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah, with plans to expand the operating territory in the future.

“Bringing our partnership with Baidu to life is a major step forward as we expand autonomous mobility globally,” said Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous at Uber. “Launching in Dubai marks the first time our multi-partner vision comes to life on public roads, demonstrating how combining advanced autonomous technology with our global marketplace can accelerate an electric, shared, and autonomous future.”

"This launch marks a meaningful milestone in our partnership with Uber, with Dubai serving as the launchpad as the partnership grows its footprint," said Nan Yang, Vice President of Baidu and General Manager of Overseas Business Unit, Intelligent Driving Group. "Dubai is also the first city where we've successfully established a dual-model offering both self-operated and partner-based autonomous ride-hailing services internationally. With this launch, we are excited to offer another way for riders in Dubai to enjoy the benefits of autonomous mobility."

The service will use Apollo Go’s sixth-generation RT6, a purpose-built, fully electric robotaxi designed for fully driverless operations. Accommodating up to three passengers, each vehicle is equipped with more than 30 sensors for comprehensive perception of its surroundings and real-time onboard data processing.

Apollo Go brings deep experience in large-scale, real-world deployment and continues to rapidly expand its global footprint. To date, Apollo Go has spanned 28 cities globally, and its fleets have accumulated over 350 million autonomous kilometers, including over 240 million fully driverless autonomous kilometers, with an outstanding safety record.

Safety remains Uber’s top priority. All autonomous vehicles, including Baidu’s Apollo Go, must adhere to Uber's stringent Safety Guidelines before operating on the network.

Uber is focused on making electric, shared, and autonomous transportation a reality. With more than 30 AV partners and millions of autonomous trips completed each year, the company is building the industry’s first hybrid network—where autonomous vehicles and drivers work side by side to make transportation more affordable, sustainable, and accessible for all.

About Uber

Uber’s mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 79 billion trips later, we're building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.

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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260819810612/en/

Uber
press@uber.com

Baidu
intlcomm@baidu.com

Source: Uber Technologies, Inc.