Driverless Revolution: Baidu’s Robotaxis Set Sights on Singapore and Malaysia

Baidu Eyes Southeast Asia for Next Robotaxi Rollout

Chinese tech giant Baidu is reportedly preparing to launch its Apollo Go autonomous ride-hailing service in Singapore and Malaysia by the end of 2025, marking a major step in its global expansion strategy. Sources familiar with the plans say Baidu is in ongoing talks with regional mobility providers and fleet operators to develop a localised business model.

Rather than directly managing fleets, Baidu is leaning toward an “asset-light” strategy. This approach focuses on working with existing taxi firms and transportation services to integrate Apollo Go into local mobility infrastructure, allowing for quicker deployment without owning vehicles or infrastructure outright.

Singapore and Malaysia Join Global Driverless Race

This move comes as the autonomous vehicle market heats up globally. Tesla recently launched its Cybercab service in the U.S., adding fresh competition to a space already seeing aggressive international growth from companies like WeRide and Pony.ai.

Baidu, which first launched Apollo Go in China in 2019, has now deployed over 1,000 autonomous vehicles and completed more than 11 million rides. That figure puts it ahead of Alphabet-owned Waymo, which reported 10 million paid rides earlier this year.

As Baidu looks to grow beyond its domestic stronghold, it is exploring opportunities across Europe, the Middle East, and Turkey. In Switzerland, for instance, it’s in discussions with PostAuto—a Swiss Post subsidiary—to potentially launch services.

Malaysia’s Roadmap for Driverless Vehicles

Since the early 2020s, Malaysia has been testing self-driving car technology in certain areas, such as Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, and the Bukit Jalil Technology Park. But things have been moving more slowly in the last few years.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke hinted at changes to policy that could make it easier for people to get around on their own in 2024. He stressed how important it is to plan for a future where driverless public transportation might become common, maybe in the next ten to twenty years. If Baidu’s rollout happens sooner, that timeline could move up a lot.

Changing Gears in Southeast Asia’s City Transportation

Apollo Go’s arrival could change the way people get around in cities in Singapore and Malaysia. It raises questions about the future of human-driven taxis and the gig economy as a whole, in addition to being convenient.

Although the days of arguing with cab drivers or being turned down for rides may be coming to an end, long-time drivers whose livelihoods depend on steering wheels face a challenge. Southeast Asia is having to strike a balance between innovation and the effects of automation on people as it gets closer to adopting driverless cars.

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