Uber and Baidu to launch self-driving taxis in Dubai

Uber and Baidu said they will launch fully autonomous ride-hailing services in Dubai in the coming month, initially operating in parts of the Jumeirah area; passengers can request Apollo Go vehicles via the Uber app when booking Uber Comfort or UberX or by choosing an 'Autonomous' option.

Uber and Baidu announced plans to introduce fully autonomous ride-hailing services in Dubai in the coming month. The initial service will operate in select locations within the Jumeirah area via the Uber app. This move follows a partnership announced last year to deploy Baidu's Apollo Go robotaxis on the Uber platform in international markets outside the U.S. and mainland China. Baidu has been running Apollo Go commercially since 2022 and reports a global footprint and millions of completed rides. Key details: - The vehicles are described as fully autonomous and will be available through the Uber app in select Jumeirah locations, with broader expansion linked to operational progress and regulatory approvals across Dubai. - Passengers can be matched with an Apollo Go vehicle when booking Uber Comfort or UberX, or by selecting an "Autonomous" option in the Uber app. - The launch builds on a partnership to deploy thousands of Baidu Apollo vehicles on Uber's platform outside the U.S. and mainland China. - Baidu has operated Apollo Go commercially in multiple cities since 2022 and reported more than 17 million rides as of October. - The company also has partnerships involving Lyft and has announced related trials in the UK and plans for Europe. Summary: The rollout is part of a broader effort by the companies to expand commercial robotaxi services internationally and to integrate Baidu's autonomous vehicles into Uber's ride-hailing network. Further expansion across Dubai will depend on operational results and regulatory approvals, and the companies said additional rollout decisions will follow those processes.