Uber Technologies Inc. and Baidu Inc. have announced a multi-year strategic partnership to deploy autonomous vehicles (AVs) across selected global markets outside the United States and mainland China.
The agreement will see Baidu’s Apollo Go driverless vehicles integrated into the Uber platform, with initial operations expected to begin in Asia and the Middle East later this year.
The partnership aims to enhance ride-hailing services by expanding the availability of autonomous mobility solutions through Uber’s platform.
The collaboration is designed to increase the supply of affordable and reliable rides by supplementing existing transport networks with advanced driverless technology.
Under the terms of the agreement, users requesting eligible Uber trips may be offered the option to travel in a fully autonomous Apollo Go vehicle.
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This marks a significant step in the commercial deployment of AVs beyond pilot programmes and limited urban trials.
Apollo Go currently operates more than 1,000 fully autonomous vehicles and has established a presence in 15 cities worldwide, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
As of May 2025, Baidu reports that Apollo Go has provided over 11 million autonomous rides to the public, making it the most widely used driverless ride-hailing service globally by volume.
Co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Baidu, Robin Li, said: “We are committed to bringing the benefit of autonomous driving technology to more people in more markets, and this partnership with Uber represents a major milestone in deploying our technology on a global scale.
“We look forward to working with Uber to deliver safe and efficient autonomous mobility solutions to riders around the world.”
Achievements and innovations in connected autonomous vehicles will be recognised and celebrated at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector!
