In 2026, Baidu Apollo Go Signs Agreement with Kazakhstan to Introduce Autonomous Driving to Central Asia

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On the eve of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), China's autonomous ride-hailing platform Baidu Apollo Go signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Kazakh company Turlov Private Holding Ltd. (TPH) in Shanghai. The two parties will jointly explore the introduction of autonomous ride-hailing services in Kazakhstan. This move marks the first entry of Chinese autonomous driving technology into the Central Asian market.

At the signing ceremony, Yang Nan, Vice President of Baidu and General Manager of the Overseas Business Department of the Intelligent Driving Group, and Timur Turlov, founder of TPH, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective parties. Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan, attended and witnessed the signing.

Located at the core hub of the Eurasian continent, Kazakhstan is where the "Silk Road Economic Belt" initiative was first proposed and a key node for the expansion of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) into Central Asia. Currently, the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Kazakhstan continues to deepen, with ongoing cooperation in innovative technology and artificial intelligence. This project will be implemented in an orderly manner under the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits of the BRI.

Baidu Apollo Go has been deployed in 27 cities worldwide, completing over 22 million ride-hailing services. In its overseas expansion, Apollo Go has launched fully driverless commercial operations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the Middle East, and covers London, UK, and core regions of Switzerland in Europe. This entry into the Central Asian market further enhances its global ride-hailing service network spanning Europe and Asia.