Chinese Robotaxi Leaders Accelerate Dubai Expansion: Baidu, WeRide, Pony.ai

In Dubai, UAE, in August, outdoor temperatures approach 50 degrees Celsius at midday. At Jumeirah Beach, opening the Apollo Go mobile app brings a black car to the curb in under two minutes. The vehicle has no driver or steering wheel. After unlocking via the phone, the spacious, clean interior greets passengers, and a voice prompt says "Please fasten your seatbelt" before the car accelerates smoothly. As it drives along the beach road, the robotaxi precisely handles turns and lane changes at roundabouts, traffic lights, and in traffic flow. Such scenes are becoming increasingly common on Dubai's streets.

Baidu's Apollo Go signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority in 2025, obtained a fully driverless testing permit in early 2026, becoming the first and only platform authorized for fully driverless testing in Dubai. It launched commercial operations in March 2026. The service covers about 25 square kilometers in Jumeirah, with plans to expand to several hundred square kilometers by the end of 2026, and the fleet will grow to several hundred vehicles. Since commercial launch, some local riders have left comments on the platform, saying "easy to board," "smooth driving," "comfortable ride," and "intelligent and safe."

Other Chinese autonomous driving firms are also accelerating their Middle East presence. WeRide has deployed over 200 robotaxis in the region and achieved operational profitability in the Middle East, with plans to further cover Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Pony. ai plans to launch commercial robotaxi services in Dubai in the second half of 2026. The UAE's rising consumer acceptance of smart vehicles and international brands, coupled with government support, robust digital infrastructure, and diverse application scenarios, provides conditions for autonomous driving technology deployment.

Dubai has set a target to convert 25% of its transportation to autonomous modes by 2030. Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, said China has become a leading force in global transportation infrastructure, digital technology, and artificial intelligence development. Dubai is willing to deepen long-term cooperation with Chinese enterprises, drawing on their advanced technologies and solutions to achieve higher levels of efficiency, quality, and sustainable development in Dubai's future transport projects. As cooperation in emerging industries such as AI, smart vehicles, and humanoid robots deepens, Chinese companies are injecting new momentum into the construction of smart cities in the Middle East with their innovation capabilities and industrial strengths.