Uber & Baidu Partner to Launch Robotaxis in Asia & ME

Uber has announced a strategic, multi-year partnership with Chinese tech giant Baidu to integrate Baidu’s Apollo Go robotaxi fleet into the Uber platform outside of China and the U.S., with initial rollouts expected in Asia and the Middle East later this year.

This marks a major step forward in Uber’s autonomous vehicle (AV) ambitions and Baidu’s global expansion strategy in smart mobility. Baidu’s Apollo Go fleet has already completed over 11 million autonomous rides in China and includes more than 1,000 driverless vehicles. The collaboration will allow Uber users in select international markets to request fully driverless robotaxi rides directly through the Uber app, expanding access to AV transportation.

Key Highlights

• Multi-year partnership to deploy thousands of Baidu Apollo Go robotaxis
• Rollouts planned in Asia and the Middle East later in 2025
• Complements Uber’s AV strategy alongside Waymo, Pony AI, May Mobility

This partnership aligns with Uber’s ongoing efforts to diversify its autonomous vehicle partnerships. The company already works with Waymo, Pony AI, and May Mobility, making this Baidu deal a significant addition to its AV ecosystem. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi highlighted the agreement as a major milestone in Uber’s journey toward becoming the leading aggregator of AV technologies across geographies.

For Baidu, the deal reflects its ambition to scale Apollo Go internationally, leveraging Uber’s global reach and established user base. It marks the first large-scale international deployment of Baidu’s sixth-generation robotaxi model and showcases China's growing leadership in AI-powered mobility.

Also Read: Uber Partners with Pony AI to Launch Robotaxis in Middle East

This collaboration not only deepens Uber’s presence in AV innovation but also signals a shift in how ride-hailing platforms and AI-driven mobility companies can join forces to reshape urban transportation globally.