Baidu’s Apollo Go Robotaxis May Hit Malaysia, Singapore Roads by 2025

Baidu is aiming to launch its Apollo Go robotaxi service in Malaysia and Singapore by the end of this year as part of its efforts to expand internationally. Discussions are underway with local partners to create suitable business models. The move coincides with a competitive landscape in the autonomous vehicle sector, where Baidu’s Apollo Go has already achieved notable success in China.

Baidu is set to expand its Apollo Go robotaxi service into Malaysia and Singapore as soon as this year, according to a report by Bloomberg. This move highlights Baidu’s strategy to broaden its influence outside of China. Reports suggest that talks are ongoing with potential local partners to establish viable business models tailored to the markets in these two nations.

Baidu’s CEO, Robin Li, emphasized the company’s interest in collaborating with local mobility service providers, taxi companies, and third-party fleet operators, noting a preference for an “asset-light approach”. This indicates a focus on partnerships rather than heavy investments in assets, which is quite significant for the company’s expansion strategy.

The planned launch comes at a time when the race in autonomous vehicle technology is intensifying worldwide. For instance, Tesla is preparing to unveil its Cybercab robotaxi network imminently, with CEO Elon Musk placing substantial bets on autonomous driving as a key growth driver for the company’s future.

Baidu’s Apollo Go is among the leading players in the Chinese robotaxi market alongside competitors like WeRide and Pony.ai, all of whom are eyeing opportunities in various regions including the Middle East and South-East Asia. Apollo Go is currently operating over 1,000 autonomous vehicles, primarily in China, having achieved a remarkable milestone of 11 million rides by the start of the first quarter of 2025.

In comparison, its U.S. rival, Waymo, which is a unit of Alphabet Inc., has reported a total of 10 million paid rides as of May, placing Apollo Go slightly ahead in this high-stakes competition. Beyond South-East Asia, Baidu has also expressed interest in penetrating the European market and even Turkey. The company has reportedly engaged in discussions with PostAuto, a Swiss Post subsidiary, to potentially introduce robotaxi services in Switzerland.

As of now, Baidu has not issued any official statements regarding its expansion plans in South-East Asia, leaving many eager to see how, and when, this ambitious project unfolds.

Baidu plans to roll out its Apollo Go robotaxi service in Malaysia and Singapore this year, part of a larger strategy to expand globally. This follows growing competition in the autonomous vehicle market, notably from Tesla. With over 1,000 autonomous vehicles in operation and significant ride milestones achieved, Baidu is solidifying its place in the industry. It remains to be seen how these plans will take shape as discussions with local partners continue without any official announcement from Baidu yet.

Original Source: www.malaymail.com