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

Baidu plans to expand its Apollo Go robotaxi services to Malaysia and Singapore, aiming for a launch as early as this year. The move is part of a larger strategy to establish a global presence, with discussions in progress to partner with local firms. This comes as competition in the autonomous vehicle sector heats up, highlighted by Tesla’s upcoming Cybercab network.

Baidu, the Chinese tech giant, is all set to launch its Apollo Go robotaxi services in Malaysia and Singapore as early as this year, according to a report by Bloomberg released today. A source close to the situation stated that this expansion is part of Baidu’s ambitious strategy to extend its reach globally, moving beyond its home market of China.

Discussions are currently underway with potential local partners to formulate the right business models tailored for these two Southeast Asian nations. Baidu’s Chief Executive Robin Li indicated that the company is particularly interested in collaborating with mobility service providers, local taxi firms, and third-party fleet operators, emphasizing an “asset-light approach” for operational efficiency.

This planned move by Baidu aligns with an accelerating competitive landscape in the global autonomous vehicle sector. Just days prior, Tesla is expected to unveil its Cybercab robotaxi network, with CEO Elon Musk heavily investing in autonomous driving technologies as a cornerstone for the company’s future growth.

Baidu’s Apollo Go is not alone in the race; it is among a trio of Chinese competitors—alongside WeRide and Pony.ai—who are also making strides to penetrate markets in the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Within China, the Apollo Go service has already achieved considerable success, operating over 1,000 autonomous vehicles and recording a staggering 11 million rides as of the first quarter of 2025.

This impressive figure surpasses U.S. competitor Waymo, which reported around 10 million paid rides by May. Beyond Southeast Asia, Baidu’s ambitions don’t stop, as it is also exploring opportunities in Europe and Turkey. Notably, it has been engaging in talks with PostAuto, a subsidiary of Swiss Post, to potentially roll out robotaxis in Switzerland.

Baidu has not yet released a formal statement regarding its expansion plans in Southeast Asia, leaving many eager to see how this endeavor unfolds and fully develops in the coming months.

In summary, Baidu is making significant moves toward launching its Apollo Go robotaxi service in Malaysia and Singapore. With strong competition from other companies like Tesla and Waymo, Baidu’s focus will be on collaborating with local partners to tailor their approach for these new markets. Their successes in China serve as a solid foundation for this expansion, and further developments in Europe and Turkey hint at Baidu’s broader ambitions on the global autonomous vehicle stage.

Original Source: www.malaymail.com