Chinese autonomous driving developers are scaling commercial operations in the United Arab Emirates as Dubai works toward its target of making 25 percent of all transport trips smart and driverless by 2030. Baidu's autonomous ride-hailing platform, Apollo Go, launched commercial operations in Dubai in March, adapting its software for local road conditions and high temperatures.
Chen Qiang, Baidu's general manager for intelligent driving business development in the UAE, stated that modern infrastructure and clear regulatory frameworks have enabled the company to transition rapidly from testing to commercial deployment. Guangzhou-based autonomous driving company WeRide has deployed more than 200 autonomous vehicles across the Middle East and reported reaching regional profitability.
Pony.ai is also preparing to introduce commercial robotaxi operations in Dubai later this year, according to Wang Ludi, head of global communications at the firm. Wang noted that growing local consumer acceptance of intelligent vehicles provides favorable conditions for scaling Chinese autonomous mobility technologies.
Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, described China as a global leader in transport infrastructure, digital technology, and artificial intelligence. Al Tayer stated that Dubai is deepening long-term partnerships with Chinese companies to incorporate advanced systems into future transport projects.
Sources
- Xinhua · 2026-09-27
