Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing service Apollo Go has partnered with UAE-based Autogo to begin trials of driverless robotaxis in Abu Dhabi, marking its first entry into the Middle East. The initiative aims to build the city’s largest fleet of fully autonomous vehicles, with commercial operations targeted for 2026.
The pilot will begin with dozens of autonomous vehicles operating in selected districts of Abu Dhabi. The project will gradually scale, in collaboration with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), to meet regulatory and operational standards set by the emirate. The service is designed to support Abu Dhabi’s broader goals for smart mobility and sustainable transport.
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Apollo Go, which operates robotaxis in over 10 cities in China and secured Hong Kong’s first autonomous vehicle pilot license in late 2024, brings extensive experience in autonomous mobility. According to the company, it has logged more than 150 million kilometers of autonomous driving and provided over 10 million rides to date.
Autogo, a subsidiary of UAE investment firm Kintsugi Holding, will provide local support and integration. The service will use electric vehicles to reduce emissions and improve urban transport efficiency.
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“This collaboration combines Baidu’s autonomous driving expertise with Autogo’s local knowledge to deliver innovative mobility solutions for Abu Dhabi,” the companies said in a joint statement.