Baidu's autonomous driving unit, Apollo Go, officially launched fully autonomous ride-hailing services on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, marking the unit's significant international expansion.

  • The venture, which commenced on January 17, 2026, was launched in partnership with K2's AutoGo and represents Apollo Go's debut in the Emirati capital.
  • This operational launch reinforces Baidu's strategy of exporting its full-stack AI technology and provides evidence of Apollo Go's global monetization pathway.
  • The company plans for a phased expansion across the broader Abu Dhabi region following this initial launch.