## Abu Dhabi Embraces Fully Driverless Future as Baidu’s Apollo Go and AutoGo Launch Commercial Robotaxi Service
Abu Dhabi is charting a new course in urban mobility with the official launch of a fully autonomous commercial ride-hailing service. This significant development, spearheaded by Baidu’s Apollo Go and local autonomous mobility firm AutoGo, marks a pivotal moment for the Middle East’s adoption of self-driving technology. The service is now accessible to the public via the AutoGo app, initially serving Yas Island, a vibrant hub for leisure and entertainment.
This launch represents a critical stride toward Baidu’s ambition to deploy hundreds of autonomous vehicles in Abu Dhabi by 2026, aiming to establish the emirate’s largest fully driverless fleet. The collaboration, which began in March 2025 with the announcement of a partnership to build this extensive fleet, has rapidly progressed. Securing one of the inaugural permits for fully driverless commercial operations in mid-November 2025, followed by an agreement to scale the fleet, underscores the project’s robust momentum.
The initial operational phase on Yas Island allows users to seamlessly hail a driverless ride through the AutoGo app. This move from partnership to live, public deployment in a matter of months is a testament to the technological maturity of Apollo Go and the strong synergy with AutoGo, supported by local regulatory bodies.
“AutoGo’s transition to live robotaxi operations marks an important milestone in Abu Dhabi’s autonomous mobility journey,” stated Sean Teo, Managing Director of K2. “Launching the service at the start of the year reflects our focus on execution and long-term value creation. By introducing robotaxi services in real urban environments and scaling across key districts, we are moving decisively from development to deployment—delivering autonomy that is practical, safe, and ready for everyday use.”
Following this initial rollout, a phased expansion is planned, encompassing Reem Island, Al Maryah Island, and Saadiyat Island, with a long-term vision to extend services across the entire Abu Dhabi emirate.
Apollo Go’s expansion into the UAE is underpinned by its leading-edge autonomous driving technology and extensive real-world operational experience. Globally, Apollo Go has accumulated over 240 million autonomous kilometers, with more than 140 million completed in fully driverless mode. The service currently operates in 22 cities worldwide, recording over 250,000 weekly rides and surpassing 17 million cumulative rides as of late October 2025. This proven track record positions Apollo Go and AutoGo to effectively advance Abu Dhabi’s smart city initiatives through scaled autonomous mobility solutions.
**About Baidu**
Founded in 2000, Baidu is a leading artificial intelligence company with a robust internet foundation, dedicated to simplifying the world through technology. Baidu trades on the NASDAQ under BIDU and on the HKEX under 9888.
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