Uber has partnered with Chinese tech firm Baidu to launch autonomous robotaxi services across multiple international markets. Under the agreement, Baidu's Apollo Go autonomous mobility platform will be integrated into Uber's app for select cities in Asia and the Middle East. The service is scheduled to launch later this year, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi becoming the first locations where users can book Baidu's self-driving vehicles through the Uber platform. This collaboration represents a strategic shift for Uber, which previously sold its internal autonomous driving division, Advanced Technologies Group (ATG), to Aurora Innovation in 2020. Now focused entirely on partnerships with verified autonomous vehicle technology providers, Uber has previously collaborated with Waymo, Motional, and May Mobility in the US. The Baidu partnership enables the company to deploy robotaxis in regions with growing demand for advanced mobility solutions and supportive regulatory environments for smart transportation systems. In the initial rollout phase, users won't need to actively seek robotaxi options. When booking rides in qualifying cities, the Uber app will automatically offer Apollo Go autonomous vehicles as an available choice when available. This approach mirrors Uber's previous autonomous vehicle deployment model, with plans to expand the service gradually as regulations, infrastructure, and public acceptance evolve. Baidu's Apollo Go is recognized as one of the world's most extensive and advanced robotaxi networks, currently operating in over 15 Chinese cities and completing more than 11 million trips using fully autonomous vehicles. This partnership allows Baidu to leverage Uber's global distribution network to expand its autonomous driving business internationally. Notably, the Middle East represents a familiar market for Uber's robotaxi ambitions. The company previously launched its first international autonomous vehicle service in Abu Dhabi through a partnership with WeRide in December 2024. Earlier this year (2025), Uber also partnered with Nvidia to enhance its AI-driven autonomous technology through the use of Nvidia's Cosmos simulation tools and DGX cloud platform. The announcement comes as the robotaxi market intensifies, with competitors like Waymo and Tesla accelerating global expansion efforts. Market research indicates the global robotaxi industry - valued at $277 million in 2024 - is projected to exceed $150 billion by 2034.