If you're in Dubai and you open the Uber app, you might notice something different: your ride could arrive with no one in the driver's seat. That's because Uber Technologies Inc. (UBER) and Baidu Inc. (BIDU) have officially launched fully driverless Apollo Go robotaxis on Uber's platform in Dubai, starting Thursday.
This is the first deployment under the companies' multiyear partnership, and it's a big deal for both. New Horizon Luxury Transport will operate the fleet, but the tech is all Baidu's.
How It Works
If you're in Dubai and you request an UberX or Uber Comfort, you might get matched with one of Baidu's fully driverless Apollo Go vehicles. There's also an "Autonomous" option in the Uber app that increases your chances of getting a robotaxi. The service initially covers select areas in Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah, but the companies plan to expand the operating area.
The vehicles themselves are Apollo Go's sixth-generation RT6. They're fully electric, carry up to three passengers, and are packed with more than 30 sensors. They also process driving data onboard in real time, which is a fancy way of saying they don't need to send everything to the cloud to figure out what to do next.
Baidu says Apollo Go now operates across 28 cities worldwide, and its fleets have logged more than 350 million autonomous kilometers. That includes over 240 million kilometers without a human driver. So this isn't a science experiment; it's a proven technology hitting the streets of a new city.
Uber's Autonomous Ambitions
Dubai is just the starting point. Uber and Baidu plan to eventually deploy thousands of Apollo Go vehicles across Uber's global network. This also fits into Uber's broader autonomous vehicle strategy, which involves working with more than 30 autonomous vehicle partners.
Sarfraz Maredia, Uber's global head of autonomous, put it this way: "Launching in Dubai marks the first time our multi-partner vision comes to life on public roads."
It's a notable milestone for Uber, which has been pushing hard into autonomous rides. And for Baidu, it's a chance to show that its robotaxi tech can work outside China.
As for the market reaction, Baidu shares were up 0.34% at $93.19, and Uber shares were up 0.21% at $78.20 in premarket trading on Thursday.
So if you're in Dubai and you're feeling adventurous, you can now hail a driverless ride. Just don't be surprised if the car talks to you.
