Baidu’s robotaxi unit explores expansion into global markets in ‘near future’

BEIJING — Chinese technology company BaiduIts robotaxi unit, Apollo Go, is in talks with several firms to expand into overseas markets in the “near future”, according to a source familiar with the matter.

No timing or region details were available.

Baidu is one of the leading robotaxis operators in China. Regulators in parts of Beijing and cities such as Wuhan — Apollo Go’s largest operating region — have allowed companies to commercially operate self-driving taxis after years of only allowing domestic tests.

adze is scheduled to hold its long-awaited robotaxi event on Thursday.

WeRide, another Chinese robotaxi developer, announced a deal in late September to integrate its cars into the ride-hailing giant. Uberhis platform in Abu Dhabi this year. The statement said the companies do not plan similar partnerships in the US or China.

In July, BYD and Uber announced that they will develop “self-driving vehicles” for the ride-hailing company’s platform. They did not share details.

Robotaxi rides in China, operated by Baidu and companies like Pony.ai, are generally heavily subsidized by companies to encourage their use. Local regulations sometimes require a human staff worker to sit inside the car, which means not all vehicles are fully autonomous.

Baidu said that as of the end of July, Apollo Go had operated more than 7 million robotaxi rides.

Separately, Baidu announced on Tuesday that Rong Luo will no longer serve as chief financial officer and will instead become executive vice president, overseeing the company’s mobile ecosystem unit. Junjie He, the former head of the mobile unit, will become acting CFO, the company said. Baidu described the changes as part of a “leadership shakeup.”