Dubai: Baidu and Uber Technologies, in partnership with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), have announced the next phase of their partnership, introducing the Apollo Go autonomous ride-hailing service to the Uber platform in Dubai. The service is expected to launch in the coming month, initially available in select locations within the Jumeirah area, with plans for expansion based on operational learnings and regulatory approvals.
According to Emirates News Agency, this collaboration supports Dubai’s goal of making 25 percent of all transportation trips autonomous by 2030. Passengers will have the option to book an Apollo Go vehicle for trips within the service area by selecting ‘Autonomous’ in the Uber app or opting for Uber Comfort or UberX. Fleet management will be handled by the third-party operator New Horizon.
Nan Yang, Vice President of Baidu and General Manager of Overseas Business Unit, Intelligent Driving Group, highlighted the significance of bringing Apollo Go to Dubai via the Uber platform. He emphasized the strategic partnership’s role in providing autonomous mobility worldwide. Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous at Uber, expressed excitement about expanding consumer access to autonomous technology in major cities globally, noting Uber’s extensive network for launching autonomous vehicle services.
This development follows a recent market expansion announced last December, which included plans to bring the autonomous ride-hailing service to London and the inauguration of Apollo Go Park in Dubai, marking its first overseas operations and management hub.