Baidu announced its autonomous ride-hailing service, Apollo Go, secured the first and only permit for fully driverless vehicle testing on public roads in Dubai.
In conjunction with the permit, the company inaugurated its Autonomous Vehicles Operations and Control Centre. Located at Dubai Science Park, this facility is Baidu’s first such center outside of China.
The new operations center will manage fleet maintenance, safety monitoring, and overall fleet operations as Apollo Go prepares for a full commercial launch. The launch is expected in the first quarter of 2026.
Baidu plans to eventually expand its autonomous fleet in Dubai to over 1,000 vehicles. This expansion establishes the city as a regional hub for the company’s Middle East operations. The move aligns directly with Dubai’s goal to have 25% of all journeys made autonomously by 2030.