Chinese robotaxi firms halt Dubai operations amid Middle East conflict

• Both Baidu's Apollo Go and WeRide have halted operations of their robotaxi fleets in Dubai.
• WeRide's robotaxi fleets in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh remain operational.

China's autonomous driving companies have been forced to pause commercial operations in Dubai as Iran's missile strikes against multiple Middle Eastern nations impacted the United Arab Emirates.

Baidu's autonomous ride-hailing platform Apollo Go has temporarily halted robotaxi testing and operations in the UAE to comply with local authorities' arrangements and ensure safety, according to a Sunday report by China Star Market.

Apollo Go said it has made proper arrangements for its local team and will resume operations in accordance with official guidance when appropriate.

Another Chinese company, WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD), has also temporarily halted its robotaxi fleet in Dubai and is awaiting notification to resume operations, according to China Star Market.

However, WeRide's robotaxi fleets in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, and Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, are currently maintaining normal public commercial operations.

The suspension comes amid a sudden escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with multiple hotels and Dubai's international airport reportedly damaged in attacks, according to multiple media outlets.

The affected Jumeirah area is a key strategic location for both Chinese companies, which partner with US ride-hailing giant Uber Technologies (NYSE: UBER) to provide services there.

WeRide had just launched public operations with Uber in Jumeirah and other areas in December 2025, while Apollo Go had planned to launch fully autonomous services in the region next month.

Despite the temporary setback to its Middle East expansion due to the conflict, Apollo Go has surpassed 20 million cumulative global ride orders and is accelerating its market deployment in South Korea.