Latest news with #ApolloGo
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Are Uber's AV Partnerships a Catalyst for Future Returns?
Recently, Uber Technologies UBER signed a deal with China's internet giant Baidu BIDU as part of its efforts to tap into the rapidly evolving autonomous delivery space. Through the deal, China's company aims to launch its driverless cars on the ride-hailing app, Uber, in Asia and the Middle East this year. The collaboration unites Baidu's cutting-edge AI capabilities with Uber's unmatched distribution power. The multi-year partnership will see thousands of Baidu's Apollo Go autonomous vehicles (AVs) on the Uber platform across multiple global markets outside of the United States and mainland China. By bringing Baidu's advanced AVs onto Uber's extensive network, the collaboration focuses on increasing the supply of affordable and reliable ridesharing options, thereby showing its customer-friendly face. After launch, if a rider requests a qualifying Uber trip, the person may be presented with the option to have the trip fulfilled by a fully driverless Apollo Go AV. Expressing delight at the development, Uber's CEO Dara Khosrowshahi stated, 'This partnership brings together two of the world's most iconic technology companies to help shape the future of mobility.' In another robotaxi-related development, Uber partnered with Lucid Group LCID and self-driving start-up Nuro. Following the deal, at least 20,000 self-driving Lucid vehicles armed with Nuro's autonomous driving software will be added to Uber's network over the next six years in exchange for the latter's substantial investment in both companies. The above deals highlight Uber's asset-light approach through strategic partnerships to gain a stronghold in the evolving and highly lucrative robotaxi market. These agreements underscore Uber's commitment to integrating cutting-edge AV technologies into its platform. With this approach, Uber has avoided the massive R&D costs associated with developing autonomous systems independently. Uber's dominant market share in the ride-hailing industry also gives it a unique advantage. With its vast network of drivers and customers, Uber can quickly scale autonomous services once the technology matures. Its app is designed to integrate AVs from multiple partners, giving users a variety of options. Uber's strategy of leveraging external expertise could prove to be very effective as it aims to gain a stronghold in the robotaxi ride-hailing market, offering massive growth opportunities. The race to deploy robotaxis at scale is set to reshape transportation. Uber's AV ambitions are gaining real-world traction through scalable, cross-market deployments. While macro risks and regulatory scrutiny remain, Uber's ability to scale both core businesses (mobility and delivery) and emerging automation initiatives positions it well for long-term growth. Uber is focused on unlocking growth in suburban and low-density markets. Uber's Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates Shares of UBER have gained 50.1% so far this year against the Zacks Internet-Services industry's 1.4% decline in the same timeframe. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research From a valuation standpoint, UBER trades at a 12-month forward price-to-sales of 3.45X. UBER is inexpensive compared with its industry. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UBER's 2025 and 2026 earnings has been revised upward over the past 60 days. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research UBER's Zacks Rank UBER currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Baidu, Inc. (BIDU) : Free Stock Analysis Report Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER) : Free Stock Analysis Report Lucid Group, Inc. (LCID) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Star
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Baidu to deploy driverless cars on Uber
Internet giant Baidu plans to launch its driverless cars on ride-hailing app Uber in Asia and the Middle East this year, the two companies said. The multi-year partnership will see 'thousands of Baidu's Apollo Go autonomous vehicles on the Uber platform across multiple global markets', the companies said in a joint statement on Tuesday. The first driverless cars are expected on the roads this year, the statement said, adding the robotaxis would launch 'outside the United States' but without specifying in which countries. Uber users in these locations may have the option of choosing to ride in a fully driverless Apollo Go car after they request a trip. China's tech companies and automakers have poured billions of dollars into self-driving technology in recent years, with intelligent driving the new battleground in the country's cutthroat domestic car market. Driverless taxis are already on the roads with limited capacity in China, most notably in the central city of Wuhan where a fleet of over 500 can be hailed by app in designated areas. In March, Baidu announced it had signed an agreement to launch autonomous driving tests and services in Dubai, Apollo Go's first international fleet deployment. The company also plans to start testing self-driving taxis in Europe by the end of this year, a source with knowledge of the matter confirmed in May. The company will also start testing in Turkey, they said. Meanwhile, San Francisco-based Uber will launch self-driving taxis in London next year when England trials new driverless services, the firm and the UK government said in June. Under the Uber pilot scheme, services will initially have a human in the driver's seat who can control the vehicle in an emergency, but the trials will eventually transition to being fully driverless. — AFP
Forbes
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
After Years of Lagging, Can Uber Save Baidu's Stock?
INDIA - 2025/07/03: In this photo illustration, a Baidu logo is seen displayed on a smartphone and ... More in the background. (Photo Illustration by Avishek Das/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) The Chinese search engine giant Baidu's stock (NASDAQ: BIDU) jumped by nearly 9% during trading on Tuesday. This increase comes in the wake of a multi-year collaboration with ride-hailing leader Uber. As part of the arrangement, Baidu will introduce thousands of its Apollo Go autonomous vehicles on Uber's platform in areas outside of China and the United States. Investor interest in autonomous taxis is on the rise, driven by Google's Waymo and Tesla's Robotaxi projects. Baidu's alliance with Uber could position it as a credible player in that global narrative. However, will this initiative be sufficient to inject new energy into the stock, which has been relatively stable over the past year due to ongoing challenges in its primary search operations. Is Ride Hailing a Major Catalyst? The collaboration signifies a crucial advancement in internationalizing Baidu's autonomous driving goals, which have mostly been limited to China until now. Initial launches with Uber are projected for Asia and the Middle East by the end of this year, allowing Uber users the chance to book self-driving taxis. There are also indications of a planned expansion into Europe, as the company continues to seek opportunities beyond China to scale its technology. Baidu's Apollo Go division has begun gaining momentum. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, it provided over 1.4 million rides, marking an approximate 75% increase compared to the previous year. Its fleet now boasts more than 1,000 fully driverless vehicles spread across 15 cities, including major Chinese locations like Shenzhen and Wuhan. Collaborating with Uber could significantly speed up global distribution, accessing a vast market. See How Waymo and Other Bets Can 2x Alphabet Stock What is the scale of the potential opportunity? Uber managed over 230 million rides weekly in Q4 2024, resulting in a $375 billion annual revenue pool solely from human-driven rides. The autonomous sector could be even larger. Robotaxis like Waymo report higher customer retention and significantly fewer accidents compared to the average, and as more users begin to enjoy the benefits of autonomous ride-hailing, demand could soar. If the existing ride-hailing market were to double, a $750 billion market opportunity could certainly be feasible. Naturally, expanding globally will require Baidu to navigate complicated regulatory environments, and the U.S. market—which is likely the largest—will probably remain closed to the company. What Factors Have Detracted from Baidu Stock? Several trends have negatively impacted Baidu stock in recent years. China's post-Covid economic rebound has been less robust than anticipated, resulting in sluggish domestic consumption and diminished advertising revenue in Baidu's core search sector. Furthermore, the emergence of generative AI has introduced uncertainty for traditional search. While Baidu has actively invested in AI technology—launching tools like its Ernie chatbot—monetization remains ambiguous. Generative AI presents limited opportunities for traditional advertisement placements, and user behavior is shifting toward seeking direct answers rather than clicking on search results. Competition in the field is also escalating, with Chinese tech giants like Alibaba and Tencent creating competing models for search, which poses a threat to Baidu's leading position. A Value Investment At around $90 per share, we believe that Baidu appears to be a value investment. The stock trades at approximately 10x projected 2025 earnings, significantly below the nearly 40x multiple it held during the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, Baidu had nearly $22 billion in net cash as of Q1 2025—that's approximately 65% of its current market capitalization. See our analysis of Baidu Revenue and Baidu Valuation for further insights on the trajectory of the company's revenues and its valuation in comparison to peers. AI has captured investor focus, and Baidu stock might be a less recognized avenue to engage with that trend. China's escalating prowess in AI is expected to draw more global capital, and Baidu, with significant advancements in areas such as its Ernie Bot and autonomous driving, could emerge as a key player. As one of the few publicly traded entities providing direct exposure to China's AI ecosystem, Baidu may experience heightened interest from investors. Investors thinking about Baidu stock must carefully evaluate the potential risks involved. Now, we leverage a risk assessment framework while assembling the Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio which, comprising a collection of 30 stocks, has a history of comfortably outperforming the S&P 500 over the last four years. What explains this? Collectively, HQ Portfolio stocks have produced superior returns with less risk compared to the benchmark index; creating a smoother investment experience, as demonstrated in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Baidu and Uber partnership to deploy AVs in global markets
China's Baidu and Uber Technologies are set to deploy 'thousands' of Baidu's Apollo Go autonomous vehicles (AVs) on the Uber platform across various worldwide markets, outside of mainland China and the US. This multi-year strategic collaboration is expected to enhance the availability of cost-effective and dependable ridesharing alternatives by integrating Baidu's AVs into Uber's network. The inaugural rollouts of this collaboration are slated for Asia and the Middle East later in 2025. Following the launch, riders who request an eligible Uber trip may have the choice to be serviced by a fully driverless Apollo Go AV. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said: 'This partnership brings together two of the world's most iconic technology companies to help shape the future of mobility. 'As the world's largest platform of its kind, spanning mobility, delivery, and freight, Uber is uniquely positioned to help AV leaders like Baidu bring their autonomous technology to the world.' Apollo Go is said to deploy a fleet of more than 1,000 driverless vehicles worldwide, with its presence extending to 15 cities, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It has offered over 11 million cumulative rides to the public as of May. Baidu CEO, co-founder, and chairman Robin Li said: "We are committed to bringing the benefit of autonomous driving technology to more people in more markets, and this partnership with Uber represents a major milestone in deploying our technology on a global scale. "We look forward to working with Uber to deliver safe and efficient autonomous mobility solutions to riders around the world." Last month, Wayve and Uber announced their plans to commence public-road trials of Level 4 AVs in London, UK, next year. This venture will utilise Wayve's Embodied AI platform alongside Uber's mobility network to amplify the deployment of AVs across Europe. In May, Uber Technologies and May Mobility, an AV technology firm, entered into a multi-year collaboration to introduce AVs in US cities. The initiative is poised to launch thousands of AVs on the Uber platform, with Arlington, Texas, anticipated to be the first city by the end of this year. "Baidu and Uber partnership to deploy AVs in global markets" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
See - Sada Elbalad
3 days ago
- Automotive
- See - Sada Elbalad
Uber, Baidu Partner to Launch Autonomous Vehicles
Israa Farhan Uber and Chinese tech giant Baidu announced a strategic partnership on Tuesday to deploy thousands of autonomous vehicles operated by Baidu's Apollo Go unit on the Uber platform in select global markets outside the United States and China. According to the joint statement, the initial rollout of self-driving vehicles is expected to begin later this year in key regions across Asia and the Middle East. Apollo Go, Baidu's autonomous driving division, currently manages a fleet of over 1,000 fully self-driving vehicles operating in 15 cities worldwide, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. As of May, the service had completed over 11 million autonomous rides globally. This collaboration marks Uber's latest move in a growing series of strategic alliances aimed at bolstering its presence in the rapidly evolving autonomous taxi market. The company is intensifying its efforts to compete with rivals like Lyft and other players in the global race for dominance in driverless ride-hailing services. The Uber-Baidu partnership signals a significant push to expand autonomous mobility in high-growth markets beyond North America and China, where regulatory and infrastructure environments are becoming increasingly favorable to advanced mobility solutions. read more UAE's Lunar Mission Delayed to Tomorrow Twitter Lifts Trump's Account Ban Scientists Find Evidence Of 10،000 Black Holes Surrounding The Center Of The Milky Way Galaxy Greenhouse In Antarctica Able To Grow Vegetables Without Soil Or Sunlight Moving Over China: U.S. Is Again Home to World's Speediest Supercomputer Technology The 10 most expensive cars in the world Technology Top 10 fastest cars in the world Technology Lasers Could Make Computers 1 Million Times Faster Technology Smart technology taking control of our lives News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream
