Baidu's Apollo Go and K2's AutoGo to Expand Driverless Fleet in Abu Dhabi
In a landmark move for the future of autonomous transportation in the UAE, Baidu's Apollo Go and AutoGo have officially announced a significant expansion of their fleet in Abu Dhabi. This strategic partnership aims to add hundreds of fully autonomous vehicles to the roads by 2026, setting a new benchmark in the region's autonomous mobility landscape.
The announcement comes on the heels of Baidu and AutoGo securing one of the first fully driverless commercial permits from Abu Dhabi's Integrated Transport Centre (ITC). This permit allows them to operate a robotaxi service accessible to the public, representing a crucial step in the implementation of smart transportation solutions meant to enhance the mobility experience for both residents and visitors.
Liang Zhang, the Managing Director of EMEA at Baidu Apollo, expressed excitement about the development, stating, "We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with AutoGo in Abu Dhabi and to secure one of the emirate's inaugural fully driverless commercial permits. Our progress from initial announcements to successfully undertaking extensive tests on public roads has been remarkable. The strong support for autonomous mobility in the UAE is encouraging, and this partnership brings us closer to achieving a safer and smarter transportation system."
AutoGo's Managing Director, Sean Teo, echoed the sentiment, indicating that this partnership aligns perfectly with Abu Dhabi's ambitions to establish itself as a global leader in smart technologies. The extensive capabilities of both companies are set to transform the mobility landscape, enabling them to construct Abu Dhabi's largest fleet of driverless robotaxis.
This significant fleet expansion marks a continuation of the collaboration initiated a few months ago, where both companies engaged in rigorous testing of fully autonomous vehicles on public roads. Following successful trials, this new phase is seen as a natural progression toward larger-scale operations.
The announcement coincides with the ongoing Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, an event spotlighting innovations in autonomous mobility. During this period, both Apollo Go and AutoGo showcased their services, underscoring their commitment to leading advancements in the field. Notably, Dr. Abdulla Hamad Al Ghfeli, Director General of the ITC, experienced a pilot ride to witness firsthand the capabilities of these autonomous vehicles in action.
As Apollo Go pursues its mission within the realm of autonomous ride-hailing, it brings a wealth of experience from its existing global operations. The service has amassed over 240 million kilometers of autonomous travel, marked by a commendable safety record. With operations already established in 22 cities, the service is seeing significant demand, with more than 250,000 rides undertaken weekly and a cumulative total of over 17 million rides logged by late October 2025.
Moving forward, Apollo Go and AutoGo plan to scale their robotaxi services, engaging more users and adhering to Abu Dhabi's overarching vision for a smart city. The successful execution of this partnership not only reflects a commitment to innovation in transportation but also showcases how autonomous technology can efficiently address urban mobility challenges within the region.
Founded in 2000 with the goal of simplifying technology through innovative solutions, Baidu operates as a significant player in the AI industry, trading on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "BIDU." The continued development of autonomous transportation solutions through partnerships like Apollo Go and AutoGo reinforces Baidu's position as a leader in transforming the technological landscape not just in China, but globally.
The announcement comes on the heels of Baidu and AutoGo securing one of the first fully driverless commercial permits from Abu Dhabi's Integrated Transport Centre (ITC). This permit allows them to operate a robotaxi service accessible to the public, representing a crucial step in the implementation of smart transportation solutions meant to enhance the mobility experience for both residents and visitors.
Liang Zhang, the Managing Director of EMEA at Baidu Apollo, expressed excitement about the development, stating, "We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with AutoGo in Abu Dhabi and to secure one of the emirate's inaugural fully driverless commercial permits. Our progress from initial announcements to successfully undertaking extensive tests on public roads has been remarkable. The strong support for autonomous mobility in the UAE is encouraging, and this partnership brings us closer to achieving a safer and smarter transportation system."
AutoGo's Managing Director, Sean Teo, echoed the sentiment, indicating that this partnership aligns perfectly with Abu Dhabi's ambitions to establish itself as a global leader in smart technologies. The extensive capabilities of both companies are set to transform the mobility landscape, enabling them to construct Abu Dhabi's largest fleet of driverless robotaxis.
This significant fleet expansion marks a continuation of the collaboration initiated a few months ago, where both companies engaged in rigorous testing of fully autonomous vehicles on public roads. Following successful trials, this new phase is seen as a natural progression toward larger-scale operations.
The announcement coincides with the ongoing Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, an event spotlighting innovations in autonomous mobility. During this period, both Apollo Go and AutoGo showcased their services, underscoring their commitment to leading advancements in the field. Notably, Dr. Abdulla Hamad Al Ghfeli, Director General of the ITC, experienced a pilot ride to witness firsthand the capabilities of these autonomous vehicles in action.
As Apollo Go pursues its mission within the realm of autonomous ride-hailing, it brings a wealth of experience from its existing global operations. The service has amassed over 240 million kilometers of autonomous travel, marked by a commendable safety record. With operations already established in 22 cities, the service is seeing significant demand, with more than 250,000 rides undertaken weekly and a cumulative total of over 17 million rides logged by late October 2025.
Moving forward, Apollo Go and AutoGo plan to scale their robotaxi services, engaging more users and adhering to Abu Dhabi's overarching vision for a smart city. The successful execution of this partnership not only reflects a commitment to innovation in transportation but also showcases how autonomous technology can efficiently address urban mobility challenges within the region.
Founded in 2000 with the goal of simplifying technology through innovative solutions, Baidu operates as a significant player in the AI industry, trading on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "BIDU." The continued development of autonomous transportation solutions through partnerships like Apollo Go and AutoGo reinforces Baidu's position as a leader in transforming the technological landscape not just in China, but globally.
Topics Auto & Transportation）
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