Chinese robotaxi companies forge ahead with UAE expansion despite Iran war

BEIJING — At least three Chinese robotaxi companies are pressing ahead with expansion plans in the Middle East despite the ongoing war in Iran.

ride-hailing company Didi It plans to begin its first overseas robotaxi testing in the United Arab Emirates later this year, according to a report. Statement on Wednesday.

Zhang Bo, Didi’s co-founder and head of its autonomous driving business, announced the plans at a UAE-China business cooperation forum in Beijing earlier this week, according to the statement. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping We are in Beijing on Tuesday as part of a three-day official visit.

Didi’s UAE testing plan follows a broader effort by Chinese autonomous driving companies in the region.

based in Guangzhou WeRide It said it launched a fully driverless, paid robotaxi service in Dubai’s Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim areas earlier this month. Passengers can book a robotaxi through. Uberapplication.

Pony.ai also maintains its commercial operations in the Emirates. In late March, pony.ai In response to a question from CNBC, CEO James Peng said the war had not affected the application for a commercial license in Dubai and that he viewed the conflict as short-term.

The Chinese robotaxi company announced in September that it had received permission from the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority. Test autonomous driving locally.

baiduRobotaxi unit Apollo Go will also be available to local residents and visitors on April 1. Fully driverless rides could be launched in Dubai through the app. It was not immediately clear whether there were restricted areas of operations.

The app will be available, Dubai’s media office said in a social media post. Start with 50 vehiclesMore than 1,000 robotaxis are planned over the next few years.

Chinese robotaxi companies have accelerated their global expansion plans in the past two years, with the Middle East emerging as an early launch market, followed by testing in Europe. Meanwhile, Alphabet-backed Waymo has deployed its fleets to more parts of the US and begun testing in London and Japan.