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Baidu Apollo Launches Commercial Driverless Robotaxi Service in Dubai

Chinese autonomous driving firm Baidu Apollo launched its commercial driverless robotaxi service in Dubai on October 7, 2026. The launch marks the company's first operational commercial venture in the Middle East. The initiative supports Dubai's strategic objective of achieving 25 percent driverless transport by 2030.

Published Source: AI for Developing Countries Forum (AIFOD)
Photo: AI for Developing Countries Forum (AIFOD)

Chinese autonomous driving technology provider Baidu Apollo officially introduced its commercial driverless robotaxi service in Dubai on October 7, 2026, according to a report by the AI for Developing Countries Forum (AIFOD).

The deployment represents Baidu Apollo's first operational commercial autonomous driving venture in the Middle East. Under the initial rollout, the driverless vehicles operate across selected urban and commercial hubs within the emirate.

According to the publisher, plans are in place to expand the local fleet to more than 50 autonomous vehicles by December 2026. The commercial rollout is aligned with Dubai's strategic autonomous mobility mandate, which targets converting 25 percent of local transportation to driverless modes by 2030.

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