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

Baidu is working to launch its Apollo Go robotaxi service in Malaysia and Singapore by this year. This expansion is part of the company’s strategy to grow globally. Cooperation with local partners is underway. Meanwhile, the company’s vehicle deployment in China has already surpassed its US competitor, Waymo.

Baidu, the Chinese tech powerhouse, is looking to roll out its Apollo Go robotaxi services in Malaysia and Singapore potentially as soon as this year, according to a Bloomberg report. This expansion appears to be woven into the company’s larger strategy to broaden its international presence beyond China. Conversations with potential local partners are underway to find the best business models to fit these markets.

Chief Executive Robin Li has mentioned before that Baidu aims for “asset-light approaches,” drawing interest from various mobility service providers, local taxi firms, and third-party fleet operators. This emphasis on collaboration suggests Baidu is keen on flexibility in operational partnerships as it enters new territories.

The timing for this expansion couldn’t be better, as the global race in autonomous vehicles heats up. Just days away from a major announcement, Tesla plans to introduce its Cybercab robotaxi network, indicating a major push into autonomous driving from CEO Elon Musk. Baidu’s Apollo Go is certainly not alone in this competitive environment, as it faces rivals like WeRide and Pony.ai who are also striving for a foothold in the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Apollo Go isn’t new to the scene. The service has successfully deployed over 1,000 autonomous vehicles primarily in China, and according to reports, it’s racked up a whopping 11 million rides by the end of March 2025. This places Apollo Go ahead of its American counterpart Waymo, which recently reported 10 million paid rides by May, highlighting Baidu’s competitive edge in robotaxi operations.

Beyond Southeast Asia, Baidu is casting its sights on new markets in Europe and Turkey. Notably, the company has been in discussions with PostAuto, a Swiss Post subsidiary, to bring its robotaxi technology to Switzerland. However, for now, no official word has been released about its plans for Southeast Asia.

In summary, Baidu plans to launch its Apollo Go robotaxi service in Malaysia and Singapore potentially by this year, aligned with a global push for autonomous vehicle technology. With a progressive strategy involving local partners, the company aims for efficiency while competing in a booming market. Their achievements in China indicate the potential for success on an international scale, with eyes also set on Europe and Turkey, although official statements on Southeast Asia are still pending.

Original Source: www.malaymail.com