China’s Autonomous Driving Firms Step Up Global Push With Uber Deals
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Baidu is teaming up with Uber to roll out the Chinese tech giant’s Apollo Go robotaxis in Asia and the Middle East later this year. Photo: Baidu
China’s autonomous vehicle companies are ramping up global expansion amid mounting commercial hurdles at home.
Among the latest deals is Baidu Inc. teaming up with Uber Technologies Inc. to roll out the Chinese tech giant’s Apollo Go robotaxis in Asia and the Middle East later this year, the companies announced on Tuesday.
The deployment is part of a “multi-year strategic partnership to deploy thousands of Baidu’s Apollo Go autonomous vehicles (AVs) on the Uber platform across multiple global markets outside of the U.S. and mainland China,” the companies said in a press release.
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- Chinese autonomous vehicle firms, including Baidu, WeRide, Pony.ai, and Momenta, are expanding overseas via partnerships with Uber in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
- Baidu and Uber plan to deploy thousands of Apollo Go robotaxis outside the U.S. and China, starting in 2024; WeRide started operations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in 2024, with plans to expand to 15 more cities.
- While partnerships accelerate global expansion, overseas robotaxi fleet sizes remain modest and short-term profitability is limited.
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Who’s Who
- Baidu Inc.
- Baidu Inc. is a Chinese tech giant expanding its autonomous vehicle operations globally. They've partnered with Uber to deploy their Apollo Go robotaxis in Asia and the Middle East, aiming to introduce thousands of vehicles outside the U.S. and mainland China. This move helps Baidu overcome domestic commercial hurdles and capitalize on ride-hailing demand and driver shortages in international markets.
- Uber Technologies Inc.
- Uber Technologies Inc. is partnering with Chinese autonomous vehicle companies, including Baidu, WeRide, Momenta, and Pony.ai, to deploy robotaxis globally. This strategy follows Uber abandoning its own self-driving unit in 2020. The partnerships aim to expand robotaxi services in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, leveraging Uber's platform for international market entry for these Chinese firms.
- WeRide Inc.
- WeRide Inc. is a Chinese autonomous driving firm. It was the first Chinese company to offer robotaxi services on Uber's platform, with operations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. In 2023, WeRide obtained the United Arab Emirates' first national-level autonomous driving license.
- Pony.ai Inc.
- Pony.ai Inc. is a Chinese autonomous driving firm that will be joining Uber's platform. Its robotaxi fleet is set to debut in the Middle East in the second half of 2025. Pony.ai is expanding globally due to domestic commercial hurdles and has an agreement with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority.
- Momenta
- Momenta is a Chinese autonomous driving company. It's partnering with Uber to deploy its autonomous vehicles on Uber's platform in Europe, starting in early 2026. This collaboration allows Momenta to expand its services into international markets, leveraging Uber's platform for global reach.
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What Happened When
- 2020：
- Uber abandoned its own costly self-driving unit, Advanced Technologies Group.
- 2023：
- WeRide secured the United Arab Emirates’ first national-level autonomous driving license.
- June 2024：
- Apollo Go launched near citywide autonomous ride-hailing in Wuhan, Central China’s Hubei province.
- Late 2024：
- WeRide launched services in Abu Dhabi.
- March 2025：
- Baidu’s Apollo Go signed an agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to deploy over 1,000 fully driverless vehicles in Dubai.
- May 2025：
- WeRide and Uber announced plans to expand their robotaxi service to 15 more cities over the next five years.
- May 21, 2025：
- WeRide’s Jennifer Li publicly stated the cost-advantages of robotaxis in developed markets.
- July 2025：
- Baidu and Uber announced their partnership to roll out Apollo Go robotaxis in Asia and the Middle East later in 2025.
- July 2025：
- Pony.ai signed a robotaxi agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
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