Baidu and Uber Join Forces to Launch Global Robotaxi Fleet

Baidu’s shares surged after announcing a strategic partnership with Uber to roll out autonomous robotaxis worldwide. On Wednesday, Baidu Inc. (HK:9888) rose as much as 4% to HK$92.10 in Hong Kong before settling near HK$89.15 by midday. The company’s U.S.-listed shares (NASDAQ:BIDU) also jumped over 8% on Tuesday, boosted by broader investor optimism around Chinese tech stocks following Nvidia’s decision to resume sales of its AI chips in China.

The collaboration will see Baidu’s Apollo Go autonomous vehicles integrated into Uber’s global ride-hailing platform, excluding the U.S. and mainland China. Initial deployments are planned for Asia and the Middle East later this year. Baidu, which has operated robotaxis in several Chinese cities since 2022, aims to scale its fleet globally through this venture.

With over 1,000 autonomous vehicles already in operation, Baidu will tap into Uber’s vast user base to expand its reach beyond China. The move signals intensifying competition in the robotaxi space as tech giants rush to secure market share in self-driving transportation.

Uber has been actively building its autonomous mobility partnerships, including previous collaborations with Waymo and Pony.ai. In June, Uber and Waymo launched a robotaxi service in Atlanta, reflecting growing momentum in the sector.

This global expansion positions Baidu as a serious contender in the robotaxi race, while also reinforcing Uber’s ambition to lead the future of autonomous ride-hailing. As regulatory environments evolve and consumer demand for driverless solutions grows, partnerships like Baidu and Uber’s are expected to shape the future of urban mobility.

The robotaxi sector is emerging as a key frontier for AI-driven transport, with Baidu and Uber’s alliance marking a major step toward large-scale deployment of autonomous vehicles.