Baidu’s Apollo Go and K2’s AutoGo Launch Fully Autonomous Ride-Hailing in Abu Dhabi

Jan 17, 2026
Baidu's Apollo Go and K2's AutoGo have begun offering fully autonomous ride-hailing services on Yas Island via the AutoGo app, following their acquisition of a driverless commercial permit in November 2025. The companies plan phased expansion to Reem, Al Maryah, and Saadiyat Islands throughout 2026.

In a press release, Baidu announced that its autonomous ride-hailing platform Apollo Go, in partnership with K2’s AutoGo, has launched a fully driverless commercial ride-hailing service on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The service is available to the public through the AutoGo app and marks the start of a phased rollout across the emirate.

The companies secured a permit for fully autonomous commercial operations in November 2025. Initial service areas include Yas Island, with planned expansion to Reem, Al Maryah, and Saadiyat Islands. Users can now hail rides via the AutoGo app and travel in vehicles operating without human drivers.

The partnership between Apollo Go and AutoGo began in March 2025, aiming to build Abu Dhabi’s largest driverless fleet. Both companies plan to scale their operations to hundreds of vehicles by 2026. Apollo Go has accumulated over 240 million autonomous kilometers globally, including more than 140 million in fully driverless mode, and operates in 22 cities worldwide.

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