Hesai Technology, a lidar manufacturer based in China, has partnered with Baidu’s autonomous mobility unit Apollo Go to support the deployment of more than 1,000 Level 4 autonomous vehicles in Dubai. The project is part of an ongoing effort to expand autonomous driving services internationally.
The Dubai deployment follows an exclusive agreement signed in July 2024, under which Hesai provides lidar systems for Apollo Go’s robotaxis. The companies said the initiative aims to demonstrate the application of autonomous driving technologies in urban settings beyond China.
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“This deployment in Dubai demonstrates the increasing commercial viability of Level 4 autonomous driving,” said David Li, CEO of Hesai. He added that the company’s lidar systems were selected for their range, resolution, and reliability, which are essential for urban operations.
According to Apollo Go, its RT6 robotaxi platform has achieved a 60% reduction in operational costs compared to earlier versions. In China, the service has logged over 150 million kilometers of autonomous driving and completed more than 10 million rides.
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The Dubai launch marks Apollo Go’s first large-scale international deployment and further extends the collaboration between Baidu and Hesai. The companies said the initiative reflects a growing interest in autonomous vehicle technology for public transportation solutions.