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Baidu Inc (NASDAQ: BIDU) shares moved higher in Hong Kong trading on Monday after the Chinese technology giant announced the commercial launch of its Apollo Go robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, marking another major step in its global autonomous driving expansion. Baidu’s Hong Kong-listed shares (HK:9888) climbed more than 2% to HK$148.60, outperforming the broader Hang Seng Index, which fell around 1.1% during the session.
The positive market reaction followed Baidu’s weekend confirmation that its autonomous driving unit, Apollo Go, has officially begun fully driverless ride-hailing operations on Yas Island. The service is being operated in partnership with Abu Dhabi-based mobility company AutoGo. According to Baidu, both companies secured all required regulatory approvals in November, clearing the way for full commercial deployment.
This launch positions Abu Dhabi as one of the first regions outside China to host Baidu’s commercial robotaxi operations. The company stated that Yas Island is only the starting point, with a phased geographic rollout already planned across the Emirate. The next phase of expansion will include Reem Island, Al Maryah Island, and Saadiyat Island, with further areas expected to be added as operations scale.
Baidu also revealed plans to significantly increase the size of its autonomous vehicle fleet in Abu Dhabi and broaden its regional footprint throughout 2026. The move aligns with Baidu’s broader strategy to internationalize Apollo Go, which is already recognized as one of the world’s largest robotaxi platforms, operating in multiple major Chinese cities.
Beyond the Middle East, Baidu has been actively exploring opportunities in other global markets. In late December, the company was reported to be collaborating with Uber Technologies Inc (NYSE: UBER) to test robotaxi services in the United Kingdom, highlighting its ambitions to enter Europe’s autonomous mobility space.
The Abu Dhabi launch underscores growing global confidence in Baidu’s autonomous driving technology and reinforces investor optimism around its long-term growth prospects in smart mobility, artificial intelligence, and next-generation transportation solutions.
