Tech giant Baidu has recently announced a strategic partnership with Uber Technologies to deploy thousands of Baidu Apollo Go autonomous vehicles on Uber’s platform in various global markets. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the deployment of autonomous driving technology on a global scale, with the first deployments expected to take place later this year in Asia and the Middle East.
The partnership between Baidu and Uber will allow Uber passengers to choose fully driverless Apollo Go autonomous vehicles for their trips, offering a new and innovative shared mobility option. Baidu’s goal is to bring the benefits of autonomous driving technology to more people in more markets, and partnering with Uber is a key step in achieving this objective.
Baidu is not the first Chinese autonomous driving technology developer to partner with Uber. Companies like WeRide and Pony AI have also entered into similar partnerships to deploy their autonomous vehicles on the Uber platform. WeRide, for example, has expanded its strategic partnership with Uber to add 15 new cities globally over the next five years, including in Europe and the Middle East.
Baidu entered the autonomous driving technology sector in 2013 and has since made significant strides in the development and deployment of its Apollo Go autonomous vehicles. The company has accumulated over 11 million rides and expanded its service coverage to 15 cities. With a global robotaxi fleet of 1,000 vehicles, Baidu is solidifying its position as a leading autonomous ride-hailing service provider.
In addition to its partnerships with Uber, Baidu is expanding Apollo Go’s services to international markets. The company has launched its services in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with road validation tests beginning in Dubai in May. Apollo Go was also approved to conduct designated passenger testing in Hong Kong, marking its entry into the right-hand drive market.
Looking ahead, Baidu plans to launch its Apollo Go robotaxi service in Switzerland and establish a local company there in the coming months. The company is also eyeing expansion into Southeast Asia, with plans to launch its services in Singapore and Malaysia as early as this year.
Overall, Baidu’s partnership with Uber and its continued expansion into international markets signal the company’s commitment to advancing autonomous driving technology on a global scale. With a strong focus on innovation and collaboration, Baidu is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of autonomous transportation.
