Chinese robotaxi firms Baidu, WeRide, and Pony AI are expanding overseas with projects in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore, and plans for Europe.
They are advancing beyond US rivals in global deployments, though most of their operations remain in China.
China resumed issuing robotaxi testing permits in 2025 after a pause, as authorities prioritize autonomous driving as a strategic sector.
Waymo leads US deployments with fully driverless vehicles in five cities, while Tesla and Zoox remain in testing or limited rollouts.
WeRide and Pony AI plan limited services in Singapore with local partners.
Chinese firms benefit from lower vehicle costs thanks to the country’s EV supply chain, while Middle Eastern cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi are becoming key markets due to supportive policies and infrastructure.
🔗 Source: Bloomberg
🧠 Food for thought
Implications, context, and why it matters.
Dubai permits allow testing; Abu Dhabi has fully driverless testing underway
- Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) issues trial permits that require a safety driver or fallback systems (backup control mechanisms) in mapped zones 1. WeRide plans Uber trials “with a safety officer onboard” and aims “fully driverless commercial operations by 2026” 2, which implies no permit yet for rides without a human.
- WeRide runs driverless robotaxi (a driverless ride-hailing vehicle) tests in Abu Dhabi 2. The company calls it the “first and only fully driverless Robotaxi testing and soon operation outside of China and the US” 2. It has not shared commercial launch details in 2.
- Singapore requires autonomous vehicles (AVs) to clear Milestone 3 tests, a certification step for unmanned operation 3. No AV has publicly cleared it 3. Companies like WeRide or Pony.ai would need onboard safety personnel until they pass that step 3.
Teleoperation (remote monitoring and assistance) providers can capture mandated remote monitoring requirements as Chinese robotaxis scale globally
- Singapore mandates insurance and ‘blackbox’ data recorders on AVs for telematics and investigations 4. That pushes demand for third-party teleoperation that bundles monitoring, incident response, and regulatory compliance.
- Dubai permits require “continuous monitoring” and “safety drivers or fallback systems” 1. Remote assistance platforms that use 5G/MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing) can meet these rules as operators shift from onboard safety staff to remote oversight.
- Teleoperation vendors can partner with Singapore telecom operators and the Centre of Excellence for Testing & Research of Autonomous Vehicles (CETRAN) AV Test Centre 4. CETRAN handles “safety assessments” before public road use 4. They can bridge Chinese original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to local rules, with recurring monitoring revenue across Middle Eastern and Asian fleets.
Recent Baidu developments
