Baidu and Uber Partner to Launch Driverless Cars Globally

Baidu plans to launch its driverless cars on Uber's ride-hailing app in Asia and the Middle East this year. The partnership will see thousands of Baidu's Apollo Go autonomous vehicles on the Uber platform across multiple global markets. The first driverless cars are expected to be on the roads this year, with the option for Uber users to choose to ride in a fully driverless Apollo Go car after requesting a trip.

Baidu, Inc. (BIDU) and Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER) have announced a strategic partnership to deploy thousands of Baidu's Apollo Go autonomous vehicles on the Uber platform across multiple global markets in Asia and the Middle East. The first deployments are expected later this year [1].

Under the partnership, riders requesting qualifying Uber trips may be offered the option to have their journey fulfilled by a fully driverless Apollo Go autonomous vehicle. Baidu's Apollo Go currently operates a fleet of over 1,000 fully driverless vehicles across 15 cities globally, having provided more than 11 million cumulative rides to the public as of May [1].

The collaboration will see thousands of Baidu’s Apollo Go self-driving vehicles integrated into Uber’s network across multiple global markets outside the U.S. and mainland China. Initial deployments are expected in Asia and the Middle East later this year, with the first markets likely to include Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where Apollo Go already operates [1].

Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, stated, "This partnership brings together two of the world’s most iconic technology companies to help shape the future of mobility. As the world’s largest platform of its kind, spanning mobility, delivery, and freight, Uber is uniquely positioned to help AV leaders like Baidu bring their autonomous technology to the world" [1].

Baidu CEO Robin Li called the partnership "a major milestone in deploying our technology on a global scale" [1].

References:
[1] https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/uber-stock-rises-after-baidu-partnership-for-selfdriving-taxis-93CH-4135569
[2] https://www.foxbusiness.com/fox-news-world/uber-partners-chinese-tech-giant-roll-driverless-vehicles-multiple-global-markets
[3] https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/baidu-deploy-thousands-apollo-go-avs-uber-platform-first-deployments-asia-middle-east