Baidu Inc. (BIDU.US; 9888.HK) announced on Wednesday that its Apollo Go autonomous ride-hailing platform received a fully driverless testing permit from Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The company said this makes it the first — and currently the only — company in Dubai authorized to conduct fully driverless testing.
At the same time, Apollo Go will launch its first overseas integrated autonomous vehicle operations hub in Dubai, Baidu said. The facility will incorporate vehicle operations, maintenance and upgrades, safety monitoring and personnel training, and is expected to serve as a regional hub for the Middle East, supporting the gradual expansion of the local fleet to more than 1,000 vehicles.
Baidu said Dubai’s advanced transportation infrastructure, forward-looking regulatory framework, and strong public acceptance of innovative technologies provide a favorable environment for the large-scale deployment of autonomous driving. The company plans to deepen cooperation with local regulators and partners to promote the development of intelligent transportation.
Apollo Go’s autonomous taxi services currently operate in 22 cities worldwide, mostly in China, including Wuhan, Beijing, Shenzhen and Shanghai. Outside the Chinese Mainland, Apollo Go is currently operating only in Hong Kong and Dubai. The company also announced late last year that it will partner with Uber (UBER.US) to launch an autonomous vehicle pilot program in London in 2026.
Bidu’s Hong Kong-traded stock opened lower on Thursday, closing at HK$125.7 by the midday break, down 3.38%.
By Lee Shih Ta
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