Baidu Matches Waymo with 250,000 Weekly Robotaxi Rides Amid China-US AI Rivalry

Baidu's autonomous ride-hailing platform, Apollo Go, has reached a major milestone by matching Waymo with 250,000 fully driverless weekly rides as of October 31, signaling rapid growth and strong competition between Chinese and U.S. tech firms in autonomous vehicle technology. Operating primarily in Chinese cities such as Wuhan, Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, Apollo Go is expanding internationally to locations including Hong Kong, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Switzerland, and plans for the UK and Germany, following rigorous testing and regulatory approvals. Since its launch, Apollo Go has completed over 17 million rides and driven 240 million kilometers, with a commendable safety record featuring only one airbag deployment per 10.1 million kilometers and no major accidents causing injury or death. Baidu's autonomous driving business is emerging as a significant component of the company's diversification beyond its core search engine and online marketing services, despite mixed overall revenue growth. Industry analysts highlight Apollo Go's potential to scale into a sizable global business amid intensifying China-US rivalry in AI and driverless technology. Baidu's expansion underscores China's commitment to leading in smart transportation and urban mobility solutions worldwide.