Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing platform, Apollo Go, has launched a fully driverless commercial service in Dubai. The service is operated in partnership with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the Dubai Taxi Company (DTC).

The Apollo Go app is now available for residents and visitors to hail fully autonomous rides. This launch marks the platform’s first international app deployment. It follows the receipt of Dubai’s first driverless testing permit for vehicles without a safety driver in January 2026. Baidu plans to deploy a fleet of more than 1,000 autonomous vehicles in the emirate over the next few years.

Nan Yang, Vice President of Baidu, said the partnership creates a safe and scalable ride-hailing service that sets a new standard for the region. He stated that the collaboration contributes to Dubai’s vision for future-ready transportation by combining Baidu’s technology with DTC’s local expertise.

Mansoor Rahma Alfalasi, Group CEO of DTC, said the initiative aligns with the goal of transforming 25 per cent of all transportation trips into smart and driverless journeys by 2030. He stated that successful trials have demonstrated the vehicles’ readiness in terms of safety and operational efficiency.

Baidu inaugurated the Apollo Go Park in Dubai earlier this year to serve as its overseas operations and management hub. As of February 2026, Apollo Go has completed over 20 million rides worldwide. Its fleets have accumulated over 300 million autonomous kilometres, including 190 million kilometres of fully driverless operations.