Baidu to expand Apollo Go robotaxi service outside of China

Baidu, the Google of China, will roll out its driverless ride-hailing service overseas as it seeks to compete with the dearth of autonomous vehicle companies at home.

The Beijing-based company seeks to deploy its Apollo Go robotaxi service in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Middle East, sources familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal. A source familiar with the matter confirmed its expansion outside of China but couldn't say which markets.

Chinese AV companies have dealt with roadblocks domestically — they’re facing the perfect storm of a high capital expenditure business model with too much competition and dwindling foreign investment. Countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with their endless oil money and smart city goals, have already been the target of Baidu competitors Pony.ai and WeRide.

Baidu’s expansion plan involves entering new markets through technology and automotive partnerships. It has already partnered with Hyundai, Kia, and Nissan to develop connected car technology, so Japan could be another potential market for Baidu’s Apollo Go.