Baidu’s Apollo Go Robotaxi Division Earns Dubai’s First Autonomous Vehicle Test License
Baidu’s robotaxi division, Apollo Go Robotaxi (罗卜快跑), has achieved a major milestone by securing Dubai’s first autonomous vehicle driving test license. This landmark announcement was made at the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport held from September 24 to 25, 2025, by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The license, proudly numbered 001, authorizes Apollo Go to conduct driverless vehicle tests—commonly known as robotaxis—on the streets of Dubai.
Looking ahead, Apollo Go plans to deploy a fleet of 50 robotaxis throughout 2025, aiming to expand the network to 1,000 vehicles by 2028, contingent on their ability to meet rigorous performance and safety standards. This ambitious rollout underscores Dubai’s commitment to positioning itself as a global leader in autonomous transportation technology, while highlighting Baidu’s confident entry into the international autonomous vehicle market.
Apollo Go: From a Dominant Force in China to an International Contender
While this marks Apollo Go’s first large-scale international project, the company is no stranger to the autonomous vehicle scene. Apollo Go currently dominates a significant market share in China, operating in 16 major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. The service has already amassed an impressive 14 million rides and logged over 200 million kilometers of driverless travel. This extensive experience in operating robotaxis in complex urban environments has laid a strong foundation for their expansion into global markets.
The Autonomous Model: The RT6
The vehicle model that Apollo Go is deploying in Dubai is the RT6, their sixth-generation autonomous vehicle. This advanced model boasts Level 4 autonomy, meaning it can operate without a human driver in various challenging weather conditions and has the capability to re-route itself seamlessly if necessary. The RT6’s sophisticated sensors and software enable it to navigate the dynamic urban landscape, ensuring passenger safety and convenience.
One of the critical aspects of the RT6’s deployment is its role in continuous data collection. As these robotaxis traverse Dubai’s streets, they gather real-time data that is sent back to Baidu’s engineers. This feedback loop allows ongoing refinement of the vehicle’s driving algorithms, making the real-world rollout integral to the broader development and improvement of autonomous vehicle technology.
A Rapidly Growing Market and Growing Competition
The race to develop and deploy autonomous vehicles is heating up globally, with tech giants fiercely competing to capture a slice of the market. Industry projections estimate the autonomous vehicle market could generate between USD 300 billion and 400 billion in revenue by 2035, highlighting the enormous economic potential.
In the United States, Tesla continues to test its self-driving vehicles in select cities, adding to the growing interest in autonomous transport solutions. However, it is China that appears to be leading the charge, with robotaxis like Baidu’s RT6 becoming increasingly common in major urban centers. The international ambitions of Chinese companies like Baidu further reinforce the notion that China is poised to dominate the global autonomous vehicle landscape in the years to come.
Images: Rednote/智车科技
[Image 1: Baidu robotaxi in Dubai]
[Image 2: Baidu robotaxi in Dubai]
[Image 3: Baidu robotaxi in Dubai]
