"Baidu, which began operating its Apollo robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in January, briefly halted operations on Sunday in coordination with local authorities' requirements. The company said its commercial autonomous driving services in Abu Dhabi had since resumed, while its robotaxi testing programme in Dubai, the UAE's major economic hub, was temporarily suspended."
"The company has made proper arrangements for its local team and is making every effort to ensure employee safety and stability, adding that it would resume affected operations in accordance with official guidance."
"WeRide, a Guangzhou-based autonomous driving start-up, runs robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, employing nearly 100 people across the region."
Chinese technology companies including Baidu, WeRide, and Meituan have temporarily halted operations or implemented remote work arrangements across the Middle East following Iran's response to US-Israel military actions. Baidu suspended its Apollo robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi on Sunday per local authority requirements, though operations have since resumed while Dubai testing remains temporarily suspended. WeRide, operating robotaxi services across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh with nearly 100 regional employees, has also adjusted operations. These companies, which significantly expanded Middle East investments over the past year, are reviewing contingency plans and prioritizing employee safety amid mounting security concerns and geopolitical hostilities.
#chinese-tech-companies #middle-east-operations #autonomous-vehicles #geopolitical-tensions #business-continuity
Read at South China Morning Post
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