TechCrunchยท2025-07-15 15:02Core Viewpoint - Uber has formed a multi-year strategic partnership with Baidu to deploy thousands of Baidu's Apollo Go autonomous vehicles on its platform in various markets outside the U.S. and mainland China, starting in Asia and the Middle East later this year [1] Group 1: Partnerships and Collaborations - Uber has been actively pursuing partnerships with various autonomous vehicle (AV) providers to enhance its ride-hailing business amid the rise of robotaxis [2] - Recent partnerships include agreements with Waymo, Volkswagen, May Mobility, and Pony AI, with Uber also taking direct stakes in some of these companies [3] - In May, Uber expanded its partnership with WeRide, which included a $100 million investment [3] Group 2: Implementation and User Experience - The deployment of Baidu's AVs is still in early stages, and initially, riders will not be able to request a Baidu AV directly through Uber's app [4] - Instead, riders may be presented with the option to have their trip fulfilled by a fully driverless Apollo Go AV, similar to existing arrangements with other partners [4]