Key Takeaways
- Operational Record: Baidu’s Apollo Go surpassed 250,000 fully driverless weekly rides as of October 31, 2025.
- Parity with Waymo: This traffic volume equals that of its main U.S. rival, signaling technological maturity.
- Global Expansion: Active in 22 cities, the service is now targeting international markets such as Hong Kong, Switzerland, and Dubai.
Baidu has announced a significant operational milestone for its autonomous driving service: Apollo Go has surpassed 250,000 fully driverless weekly rides. This figure, updated as of October 31, 2025, not only demonstrates rapid technology adoption in China but also places the Chinese tech giant in direct competition with Waymo, the Alphabet-owned industry pioneer.
Rapid Growth: Key Figures for the Apollo Go Fleet
Apollo Go‘s growth has accelerated significantly in recent months. For comparison, in the quarter ending June 30, the service averaged approximately 169,000 weekly rides. The jump to 250,000 weekly rides indicates strong demand and a rapid expansion of operational capacity.
Currently, the robotaxi service is active in 22 cities globally, with a predominant presence in strategic Chinese hubs like Wuhan, Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. The fleet, consisting of over 1,000 vehicles, has accumulated impressive operational data crucial for training and improving driving algorithms.
Operational Data and Safety
Since its launch, Apollo Go has managed a total of over 17 million rides. The fleet has covered more than 240 million kilometers (approx. 149 million miles). Of this, 140 million kilometers (approx. 87 million miles) were driven in fully driverless mode, meaning without a safety operator in the driver’s seat.
On the safety front, a critical metric for public and regulatory trust, Baidu shared specific data. The company reports an airbag-deploying incident every 10.14 million kilometers (approx. 6.3 million miles) driven in driverless mode, emphasizing that none of these events resulted in serious injuries or fatalities.
The Global Competition with Waymo
The 250,000 weekly ride figure is particularly relevant because it puts Apollo Go on par with its main U.S. rival. Waymo reported similar weekly volumes (also around 250,000) earlier this year, although it operates primarily in the United States (in cities like Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles).
Reaching Volume Parity
Matching Waymo volumes, in a different market and with a more recent expansion, signals that Baidu’s technology has reached a sufficient level of maturity for large-scale commercialization. The competition is no longer just about theoretical technological superiority but about the ability to manage complex, safe, and efficient real-world operations.
Expansion Beyond China
While the Chinese market remains the core of Apollo Go’s operations, Baidu is actively pursuing international expansion plans. The company has already initiated or announced pilot projects and tests in markets such as Switzerland, Dubai, and Hong Kong. This strategy aims to diversify operations and test its technology against different regulatory frameworks and driving conditions, preparing the ground for a future global presence.
