Baidu's Apollo Go Enters Strategic Partnership with Dubai RTA to Deploy Robotaxis in Dubai

Core Insights - Baidu's autonomous ride-hailing platform, Apollo Go, has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch autonomous driving testing and services in the city, marking its first international fleet deployment outside of China and Hong Kong [1][8] Deployment Plans - Apollo Go will deploy 100 fully autonomous vehicles in urban Dubai by the end of 2025, with plans to scale the fleet to at least 1,000 vehicles by 2028 [2][11] Strategic Vision - The partnership aims to support Dubai's goal of making 25% of the city's transportation autonomous by 2030, aligning with Dubai's ambitious vision for autonomous transportation [3][4] Technical Expertise - Apollo Go will share its technical, operational, and regulatory expertise gained from deployments in major Chinese cities, including a large-scale deployment in Wuhan, to ensure seamless localized operation in Dubai [3][5] Market Position - Apollo Go has achieved over 150 million kilometers of safe driving and provided more than 10 million rides, positioning itself as one of the world's largest autonomous ride-hailing platforms [5][11] Vehicle Specifications - The RT6 model, designed for driverless mobility, features enhanced reliability and comfort, aiming to provide an optimized autonomous vehicle experience for users in Dubai [6] Global Expansion - This partnership represents a significant milestone in Apollo Go's global expansion strategy, following its first autonomous driving test licenses granted in Hong Kong in November 2024 [8][11] Future Goals - Apollo Go is committed to delivering safe, green, and intelligent mobility services in collaboration with global partners, contributing to smarter and more connected urban environments [9]