Baidu’s Apollo Go Robotaxis May Hit Malaysia, Singapore Roads in 2025
Baidu plans to launch Apollo Go robotaxi services in Malaysia and Singapore by 2025, part of its global expansion strategy. The company is negotiating with local partners to develop suitable business models. Their progress comes amid a competitive autonomous vehicle market, where Apollo Go has already completed over 11 million rides since early 2025.
Kuala Lumpur is buzzing with news that Baidu intends to roll out its Apollo Go robotaxi service in both Malaysia and Singapore, potentially as soon as this year. This information comes to light thanks to a report from Bloomberg, revealing the company’s efforts to broaden its operating reach beyond its home turf of China.
According to sources familiar with the situation, discussions are actively taking place with local partners to establish optimal business models tailored to both markets. Baidu’s Chief Executive Officer Robin Li highlighted a preference for an “asset-light approach,” indicating their interest in collaborating with existing mobility service providers, local taxi firms, and third-party fleet operators.
What’s interesting is that Baidu’s announcement coincides with increased competition in the autonomous vehicle sector, especially with Tesla preparing to showcase its Cybercab robotaxi network soon. CEO Elon Musk is banking heavily on autonomous technology to propel growth.
Baidu’s Apollo Go stands out among a select group of Chinese robotaxi operators, including WeRide and Pony.ai, who are increasingly focusing on expansion efforts in regions like the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Notably, Apollo Go has already achieved significant success within China, operating over 1,000 autonomous vehicles and reaching an impressive milestone of 11 million rides by the first quarter of 2025.
These numbers put Apollo Go ahead of its U.S. counterpart, Waymo, which recently announced 10 million paid rides as of May. Beyond just Southeast Asia, Baidu appears to have an eye on expanding its robotic taxi reach into European markets, including notable talks with PostAuto—part of the Swiss Post—regarding potential services in Switzerland.
However, as it stands, there has yet to be any official confirmation from Baidu regarding their plans for Southeast Asia. The anticipation of their entry into the region has certainly sparked interest among industry watchers and consumers alike.
In summary, Baidu’s possible launch of its Apollo Go robotaxis in Malaysia and Singapore by this year marks a significant step in its strategy to extend beyond China. With local partnerships and a competitive market landscape emerging in the autonomous vehicle field, Baidu aims not only to dominate within Southeast Asia but is also exploring further expansion into Europe and Turkey. Official statements on these plans are still forthcoming, adding to the intrigue surrounding this tech giant’s ambitions.
Original Source: www.malaymail.com
