Baidu’s Apollo Go Gets Dubai's First Autonomous Driving Test Permit, Commences On-Road Trials

China-based Baidu (BIDU) announced on Wednesday that its autonomous ride-hailing platform, Apollo Go, has commenced trials in designated areas on open roads in Dubai since August, sending the Nasdaq-listed company's shares rallying 7%.

The company said that Apollo Go has been granted Dubai's first autonomous driving trial permit, along with the first batch of 50 autonomous driving test licenses issued by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai. The RTA thereby authorized Apollo Go to deploy its vehicles in urban Dubai.

"Leveraging our autonomous driving technologies and fleet operation expertise, we will conduct all required testing and operations to enable seamless localization,” said Liang Zhang, Managing Director of EMEA, Baidu Apollo.

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around BIDU stock fell from ‘bullish’ to ‘neutral’ territory over the past 24 hours, while message volume stayed at ‘high’ levels.

Apollo Go is the first platform to be allowed to operate a sizable fleet in urban Dubai, the company said. Apollo Go and the RTA also plan to expand the fleet to over 1,000 fully driverless vehicles over the next three years, the firm stated.

Apollo Go and Dubai RTA signed a Memorandum of Understanding earlier this year. The company said that Apollo Go is the sole platform running trials on open roads with sixth-generation autonomous vehicles at the 4th Dubai World Congress for self-driving transport. In Hong Kong, Apollo Go was granted the very first autonomous driving test license in November 2024

BIDU stock is up by 60% this year and by 42% over the past 12 months. 

Read also: Honda Motor Reportedly Ends US Production Of Acura ZDX EV

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