Uber Taps Baidu’s Apollo Go for Dubai Robotaxi Expansion

The service will initially launch within the Jumeirah district, a prominent residential and tourist hub. Uber and Baidu plan to expand the robotaxi footprint across the wider city based on performance data and local regulatory approvals. This deployment follows a similar agreement reached in December to bring Apollo Go to London, signaling a tightening alliance between the two firms.

Scaling Autonomous Mobility

Daily operations and vehicle maintenance will be handled by New Horizon, a specialized third-party fleet management firm. This structure allows Uber to leverage Baidu’s autonomous software and New Horizon’s logistics without the direct overhead of vehicle upkeep. The partnership highlights a shift in the mobility industry toward "asset-light" strategies, where platform providers focus on user acquisition while tech firms like Baidu supply the underlying AI.

Dubai has positioned itself as a primary testing ground for futuristic transport, aiming for 25% of all transportation trips to be autonomous by 2030. By integrating Apollo Go, Uber strengthens its competitive position in the Middle East's rapidly evolving mobility market. The companies stated that the expansion will be incremental, prioritizing safety and operational learnings before a city-wide release.