Uber and Baidu Join Forces to Launch Autonomous Ride-Hailing in Dubai

The Apollo Go service will be accessible via the Uber app in select locations within the Jumeirah area. The deployment will initially be limited but is expected to expand based on operational learnings and regulatory approvals throughout the city. This initiative aligns seamlessly with Dubai's ambitious goal of having 25% of all transportation trips be autonomous by 2030.

Passengers using the Uber app will be able to select the “Autonomous” option when booking rides through Uber Comfort or UberX, allowing them to be matched with an Apollo Go vehicle. Fleet management for the autonomous vehicles will be conducted by third-party operator New Horizon, ensuring a smooth operational flow.

Nan Yang, Vice President of Baidu and General Manager of the Overseas Business Unit of the Intelligent Driving Group, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in advancing safe and accessible autonomous mobility. “Bringing Apollo Go to Dubai via the Uber platform marks a pivotal step in our mission to provide safe, efficient, and accessible autonomous mobility worldwide,” said Yang. The partnership, originally announced in July 2025, aims to leverage Uber’s extensive network to materialize a shared vision of autonomous transportation.

Uber’s Global Head of Autonomous, Sarfraz Maredia, shared his enthusiasm about expanding the company's autonomous footprint in Dubai. He noted, “Just as we helped millions of people try out EVs for the first time, we will expand consumer access to autonomous technology in major cities around the world.” With over 20 autonomous vehicle partners already conducting millions of trips annually, Uber is positioning itself as the global platform for scaling the autonomous vehicle industry.

This announcement follows a series of strategic moves to enhance Uber and Baidu's market presence. In December 2025, the two companies revealed plans to extend their autonomous ride-hailing services to London, marking their entry into a right-hand drive market. January 2026 saw the inauguration of Apollo Go Park in Dubai, which serves as its first overseas operations and management hub, further solidifying the partnership's commitment to global expansion.

Apollo Go has established itself as a leader in the autonomous ride-hailing sector, having logged over 240 million autonomous kilometers, with more than 140 million kilometers completed in fully driverless mode. The service currently operates in 22 cities globally, reaching a weekly ride count of over 250,000 and achieving more than 17 million cumulative rides as of October 31, 2025.

The collaboration between Baidu and Uber to introduce Apollo Go to Dubai represents a significant milestone in the evolution of autonomous transportation. With Dubai's commitment to integrating autonomous vehicles into its transportation framework and the robust capabilities of both companies, this initiative is set to pave the way for the future of mobility. As urban centers around the world look to innovate and enhance their transportation systems, the partnership stands as a beacon of technological advancement and consumer accessibility.