Baidu in Talks to Launch Robotaxi Service in UAE
Chinese technology giant Baidu is reportedly considering the deployment of its autonomous ride-hailing service, known as Apollo Go or robotaxis, in the United Arab Emirates. According to sources familiar with the matter cited by the Wall Street Journal, the company has entered into discussions with local government officials regarding this potential expansion. This development follows a public dialogue between Baidu Chief Executive Robin Li and H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. During the event, Li emphasized the safety and efficiency of Baidu’s autonomous fleet, claiming it is ten times safer than human drivers and maintains an insurance claims rate significantly lower than traditional taxis. As of November 2024, Baidu’s robotaxis have completed eight million rides across eleven cities in China, with a substantial operational fleet currently active in Wuhan. This potential move marks a significant step in Baidu’s international expansion strategy for its autonomous driving technology, leveraging recent high-level diplomatic and technological exchanges between Chinese tech leaders and UAE authorities focused on digital economy and AI innovation.
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Baidu in Talks to Launch Robotaxi Service in UAE
Chinese technology giant Baidu is reportedly considering the deployment of its autonomous ride-hailing service, known as Apollo Go or robotaxis, in the United Arab Emirates. According to sources familiar with the matter cited by the Wall Street Journal, the company has entered into discussions with local government officials regarding this potential expansion. This development follows a public dialogue between Baidu Chief Executive Robin Li and H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. During the event, Li emphasized the safety and efficiency of Baidu’s autonomous fleet, claiming it is ten times safer than human drivers and maintains an insurance claims rate significantly lower than traditional taxis. As of November 2024, Baidu’s robotaxis have completed eight million rides across eleven cities in China, with a substantial operational fleet currently active in Wuhan. This potential move marks a significant step in Baidu’s international expansion strategy for its autonomous driving technology, leveraging recent high-level diplomatic and technological exchanges between Chinese tech leaders and UAE authorities focused on digital economy and AI innovation.
TechNode