by Xinhua writer Xia Xiao
DUBAI, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- On a sweltering summer afternoon, a black Apollo Go robotaxi eased to the curb along Dubai's Jumeirah coastline. I unlocked the door with my smartphone. There was no driver, no steering wheel, and no doubt that artificial intelligence was in control.
The car glided smoothly through roundabouts and dense seaside traffic, stopping at red lights, yielding to pedestrians, and changing lanes without fuss. In most cities, such a ride would still be a novelty. Here in Dubai, it is becoming everyday reality.
And this reality, which once belonged to science fiction, is being brought to life by Chinese technology.
As Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Qatar, invest heavily in artificial intelligence and smart-city projects, Chinese autonomous-driving companies are emerging as some of the region's most active technology partners.
Dubai, which aims to make 25 percent of all transportation trips smart and driverless by 2030, has become one of the first overseas markets where Chinese robotaxi companies are putting autonomous-driving technology into commercial service.
Apollo Go, Baidu's autonomous ride-hailing platform, began commercial operations in Dubai in March. WeRide has deployed more than 200 autonomous taxis across the Middle East and says the region has already become profitable. Pony.ai, meanwhile, plans to launch commercial robotaxi services in Dubai later this year.
Together, these Chinese companies illustrate how Gulf countries are embracing Chinese technology to advance their ambitions for smarter, better-connected cities.
"The UAE offers one of the world's most supportive environments for autonomous driving," Chen Qiang, Baidu's general manager for intelligent driving business development in the UAE, told me. "Modern infrastructure, efficient regulation and strong demand for smart mobility allow companies to move more quickly from testing to commercial operation."
According to Chen, as the UAE provides a favorable business environment for Chinese tech companies, Chinese autonomous-driving firms have also been adapting their technologies and service models to local conditions, including optimizing their systems for the UAE's climate, roads, and regulatory requirements.
Wang Ludi, head of global communications at Pony.ai, said growing consumer acceptance of intelligent vehicles in the UAE had created favorable conditions for Chinese autonomous-driving technologies to expand at scale.
Wang added that Chinese automotive and technology brands had also gained broader recognition in the local market. "For autonomous mobility, the key question is whether the technology can deliver a safe, reliable and convenient service," he said.
The growing presence of Chinese autonomous-driving companies reflects a broader shift in China-Gulf cooperation, with partnerships expanding beyond traditional energy ties into emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cloud computing, and intelligent transportation.
Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, described China as a global leader in transport infrastructure, digital technologies and artificial intelligence. Dubai, he said, was strengthening long-term partnerships with leading Chinese companies to bring advanced technologies and operational expertise to future transport projects.
Speaking with local experts and scholars has reinforced my view that Chinese technology companies are uniquely positioned to support the Gulf countries' economic diversification.
Their commercially proven solutions are readily applicable to large-scale smart-city projects, while the region's digital transformation provides an ideal testing ground for Chinese firms to further develop and internationalize their technologies.
These days, I'm growing accustomed to riding in autonomous taxis. Yet each time I step into one, I find myself reflecting on what has brought this once-futuristic journey within reach: not technology alone, but the spirit of cooperation behind it and a shared determination to harness innovation to improve people's lives. ■
