# Apollo RT6

Manufacturer: [Baidu](/companies/baidu)  
Category: av

## Media

- **Video (primary-source)**: [Baidu Apollo RT6 robotaxi](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0-fKvpW_3E). Baidu's reveal of the purpose-built Apollo RT6, the vehicle for its Apollo Go robotaxi fleet. A product unveil, not proof of driverless operation. Apollo Go's fully-driverless, 24/7, and ride-count scale claims are self-reported by Baidu; fully-driverless service is concentrated in a geofenced Wuhan operating area. _(via Baidu)_

_Each clip and image on this page carries a provenance label. [About our media provenance](/consumer#media-provenance)._

## Summary

Baidu's Apollo RT6 is the company's sixth-generation autonomous robotaxi: a purpose-built battery-electric vehicle (a cross between an SUV and a minivan, with a detachable steering wheel) on Baidu's Apollo Galaxy / Xinghe self-driving platform, powering the Apollo Go fully-driverless commercial ride-hailing service across Chinese cities and some international markets. There is no consumer price: it is a robotaxi service vehicle, not sold to consumers. Baidu manufactures it without relying on a third-party automaker at roughly 204,600 RMB (about $28,600) per vehicle, about half the cost of the prior generation: a verified per-vehicle build cost (from Baidu's disclosures), not a consumer price. It is one of the Chinese commercial-at-scale anchors of the robotaxi cluster.

## Top line

> Apollo RT6 is internal use only (not for retail), no capability claims are on file, 6 verified deployments are on file, and 2 incidents are on record.

## Readiness

- **Availability** (internal-only): Internal use only (not for retail).
- **Price honesty** (no-price): No price points on file for Apollo RT6.
- **Capability honesty** (no-claims): No reviewed capability claims on file for Apollo RT6.
- **Real-world use** (commercial): Maturity: commercial. 6 verified deployments in the registry.
- **Safety record** (incidents-on-file): 2 incidents on record across 6 verified deployments.

## What it claims to do

_No reviewed capability claims on file._

## Price

_No reviewed price points on file._

## Real-world use

- [Abu Dhabi](/deployments/apollo-rt6-yas-island)
- [Dubai](/deployments/apollo-rt6-dubai), first seen 2026-03-30
- [Shenzhen](/deployments/apollo-rt6-shenzhen), first seen 2024-01-01
- [Beijing](/deployments/apollo-rt6-beijing), first seen 2022-12-29
- [Wuhan](/deployments/apollo-rt6-wuhan), first seen 2022-08-08
- [Chongqing](/deployments/apollo-rt6-chongqing), first seen 2022-08-08

## Safety record

- [China suspended new robotaxi/AV permits nationwide after the Apollo Go Wuhan outage](/incidents/china-robotaxi-permit-suspension-2026), 2026-04-29
- [Robotaxi (Baidu Apollo RT6, Hellobike-operated) struck two pedestrians in Zhuzhou; service suspended](/incidents/hellobike-zhuzhou-pedestrian-injury-2025), 2025-12-06

## Privacy

_No privacy practices disclosed or on file for Apollo RT6._

## Specs

_No specs on file._

## What's under the hood

- Runs on [Apollo ADFM (Baidu)](/brains/baidu-apollo) (foundation-model)

## Frequently asked questions

### Is the Apollo RT6 actually available for purchase?

Not available to consumers. In internal use by Baidu.

_Source: [Apollo Go 1,000+ vehicles in Wuhan (largest China deployment), per-vehicle profitability](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/20/global-robotaxi-race-heats-up-between-us-and-chinese-rivals.html)._

### What does the Apollo RT6 cost?

Not announced.

### Where is the Apollo RT6 being used?

Apollo RT6 is in use at: Abu Dhabi, Dubai (2026-03-30), Shenzhen (2024-01-01), Beijing (2022-12-29), and Wuhan (2022-08-08), plus 1 more.

_Source: [Apollo Go x K2 AutoGo commence fully-autonomous ride-hailing on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; phased expansion across Abu Dhabi](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baidus-apollo-go-and-k2s-autogo-commence-fully-autonomous-ride-hailing-service-on-yas-island-announce-phased-expansion-across-abu-dhabi-302663468.html)._

### What's the Apollo RT6 running on?

Apollo RT6 runs on Apollo ADFM (Baidu) (foundation-model, commercial maturity).

### Is the Apollo RT6 safe?

Incidents on record: 2 (1 regulatory_action, 1 injury). See China suspended new robotaxi/AV permits nationwide after the Apollo Go Wuhan outage.

_Source: [China suspended new robotaxi/AV permits nationwide after the Apollo Go Wuhan outage](/incidents/china-robotaxi-permit-suspension-2026)._

### How does the Apollo RT6 handle privacy?

No privacy practices disclosed or on file for Apollo RT6.

### Who makes the Apollo RT6?

Apollo RT6 is made by Baidu, based in Beijing, China.

_Source: [Apollo Go 1,000+ vehicles in Wuhan (largest China deployment), per-vehicle profitability](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/20/global-robotaxi-race-heats-up-between-us-and-chinese-rivals.html)._

## Manufacturer

- [Baidu (https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/20/global-robotaxi-race-heats-up-between-us-and-chinese-rivals.html)](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/20/global-robotaxi-race-heats-up-between-us-and-chinese-rivals.html)

## Compared to

- [Didi Robotaxi](/consumer/models/didi-robotaxi)
- [Waymo Driver 6th-gen](/consumer/models/waymo-driver-gen6)
- [Robotaxi GXR](/consumer/models/weride-gxr)

## Sources

1. [Baidu Q1 2026 earnings (6-K Ex-99.1): Apollo Go 22M cumulative public rides (Apr 2026), 3.2M Q1 fully-driverless rides, 100% fully-driverless in mainland cities incl. Beijing/Shenzhen; 330M autonomous km](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1329099/000119312526228123/d156481dex991.htm)
2. [Apollo Go (official) - Dubai: MoU with Dubai RTA to deploy 1,000 robotaxis (RT6 fleet)](https://www.apollogo.com/news/365)
3. [Baidu unveils next-gen Apollo RT6 robotaxi (purpose-built L4, half taxi-fare cost)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baidu-unveils-next-gen-autonomous-vehicle-ready-to-provide-driverless-robotaxi-half-of-taxi-fares-301590644.html)
4. [Baidu delivers 6th-gen Apollo RT6 (RMB 204,600; 1200 TOPS, ~38 sensors, 3-min battery swap)](https://www.chinapev.com/baidu/baidu-delivers-sixth-generation-apollo-rt6-autonomous-vehicle-priced-at-rmb-204600/)
5. [Baidu launches 6th-gen RT6 robotaxi (5 LiDAR, swappable LFP, JMC manufacturing)](https://carnewschina.com/2024/05/15/baidu-launches-6th-generation-robotaxi-costs-less-than-a-xiaomi-su7/)
6. [Baidu Apollo RT6 6th-gen reveal (detachable steering wheel)](https://newatlas.com/automotive/baidu-apollo-rt6/)
7. [RT6 unit economics / breakeven framing](https://technode.com/2024/05/15/baidu-expects-robotaxi-unit-to-break-even-by-2024-profit-by-2025/)
8. [Apollo Go fleet hits seven million rides (RT6 deployment milestone)](https://insidechinaauto.com/2024/08/27/baidu-robotaxi-fleet-hits-seven-million-rides/)
9. [Baidu Apollo launches 6th-gen RT6 robotaxi (~60% lower cost)](https://cnevpost.com/2024/05/15/baidu-apollo-launches-6th-gen-robotaxi/)
10. [Apollo Go 1,000+ vehicles in Wuhan (largest China deployment), per-vehicle profitability](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/20/global-robotaxi-race-heats-up-between-us-and-chinese-rivals.html) · 2025-11-20
11. [Baidu robotaxi — permits, RT6, Apollo Galaxy platform, Lyft agreement, city history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baidu_robotaxi) · 2026-01-05
12. [Baidu Q3 2025 earnings (6-K Ex-99.1): Apollo Go 100% fully-driverless in all mainland-China operating cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Chengdu, Chongqing, Haikou, Sanya)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1329099/000119312525285391/d52736dex991.htm) · 2025-11-18
13. [Baidu Q3 2025 results - Apollo Go cumulative ride orders, fully-driverless operations](https://ir.baidu.com/news-releases/news-release-details/baidu-announces-third-quarter-2025-results)
14. [Baidu's Apollo launches the world's first L4 autonomous-driving foundation model (Apollo ADFM)](https://www.yicaiglobal.com/news/baidus-apollo-launches-worlds-first-foundation-model-supporting-l4-autonomous-driving)
15. [Baidu Apollo - autonomous driving platform (official)](https://apollo.auto/)
16. [Baidu Apollo Go expands robotaxi operations to ~20 cities in China (Jan 2026)](https://cnevpost.com/2026/01/15/baidu-apollo-go-robotaxi-operations-20-cities-china/)
17. [Baidu official YouTube (@Baidu_Inc), embedded under standard YouTube embed terms. oEmbed author_url verified 2026-06.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0-fKvpW_3E) · 2026-06-04
18. [Apollo Go x K2 AutoGo commence fully-autonomous ride-hailing on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; phased expansion across Abu Dhabi](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baidus-apollo-go-and-k2s-autogo-commence-fully-autonomous-ride-hailing-service-on-yas-island-announce-phased-expansion-across-abu-dhabi-302663468.html)
19. [Abu Dhabi Mobility expands autonomous robotaxi service with Autogo and Apollo Go](https://admobility.gov.ae/en/news/autogo-and-apollo-go)
20. [Apollo Go launches fully driverless public robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi](https://autonews.gasgoo.com/articles/news/apollo-go-launches-fully-driverless-public-robotaxi-service-in-abu-dhabi-2013256225322278912)
21. [Baidu launches fully driverless ride-hailing service in Abu Dhabi (first overseas)](https://kr-asia.com/baidu-launches-fully-driverless-ride-hailing-service-in-abu-dhabi)
22. [Baidu Apollo Go starts fully-driverless commercial operations in Dubai (Mar 30, 2026)](https://cnevpost.com/2026/03/31/baidu-apollo-go-starts-driverless-commercial-operations-dubai/)
23. [Apollo Go enters strategic partnership with Dubai RTA (RT6; first international fleet; Mar 2025)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baidus-apollo-go-enters-strategic-partnership-with-dubai-rta-to-deploy-robotaxis-in-dubai-302414511.html)
24. [Dubai launches first driverless-taxi control centre with Apollo Go; first permit issued](https://gulfnews.com/uae/transport/dubai-opens-first-driverless-taxi-control-centre-first-permit-issued-1.500401882)
25. [Apollo Go starts robotaxi road tests in Abu Dhabi and Dubai (2025 testing phase)](https://www.yicaiglobal.com/news/baidus-apollo-go-to-start-robotaxi-road-tests-in-abu-dhabi-dubai)
26. [Apollo Go expands robotaxi services to the UAE (RT6 fleet; RTA framing)](https://www.middleeastainews.com/p/baidu-apollo-go-robotaxi-expands-uae)
27. [Baidu launches commercial fully driverless ride-hailing service in Shenzhen (Jun 2023)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baidu-launches-commercial-fully-driverless-ride-hailing-service-in-shenzhen-expanding-nationwide-operations-301853087.html)
28. [Apollo Go permitted for fully unmanned commercial operation in Shenzhen Pingshan District](https://autonews.gasgoo.com/articles/icv/70023075)
29. [Apollo Go permitted to charge fares with unmanned robotaxi in Shenzhen Bao'an District (2024)](https://autonews.gasgoo.com/icv/70031096.html)
30. [Baidu wins Beijing's first fully-driverless ride-hailing permit (Yizhuang)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baidu-wins-china-capital-citys-first-ever-permit-to-provide-fully-driverless-ride-hailing-service-301774850.html)
31. [Baidu wins approval for driverless cab service in Beijing Yizhuang (10 cabs, 60 sq km)](https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3213930/robotaxis-beijing-chinas-baidu-wins-approval-offer-driverless-cab-service-yizhuang-economic)
32. [Apollo Go gets permit for fully driverless rides in Beijing](https://cnevpost.com/2023/03/17/baidus-apollo-go-gets-permit-fully-driverless-rides-beijing/)
33. [Baidu first in China to offer driverless airport rides (Beijing Daxing)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baidu-becomes-first-in-china-to-offer-driverless-airport-rides-301910249.html)
34. [Baidu Apollo Go robotaxi fleet reaches 1,000-vehicle milestone (RT6 context)](https://cnevpost.com/2025/05/22/baidu-apollo-go-robotaxi-1000-milestone/)
35. [Baidu to operate fully driverless commercial robotaxi in Wuhan and Chongqing](https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/07/baidu-to-operate-fully-driverless-commercial-robotaxi-in-wuhan-and-chongqing/)
36. [Baidu sixth-gen RT6 robotaxi begins operations in China](https://www.autonomousvehicleinternational.com/news/robotaxis/baidu-sixth-gen-robotaxi-begins-operations-in-china.html)
37. [Apollo Go 17M+ cumulative orders; Wuhan nearing break-even (company claims)](https://carnewschina.com/2025/11/13/baidus-apollo-go-robotaxi-leads-global-autonomous-driving-with-17m-orders-targets-profit-this-year/)
38. [Apollo Go Wuhan fleet grows from 5 to 300 vehicles in a year](https://www.autonomousvehicleinternational.com/news/robotaxis/baidus-apollo-go-robotaxi-fleet-in-wuhan-goes-from-5-to-300-vehicles-in-one-year.html)
39. [Baidu granted China's first-ever fully-driverless commercial permits (Chongqing Yongchuan 30 sq km + Wuhan, Aug 2022)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baidu-granted-chinas-first-ever-permits-for-commercial-fully-driverless-ride-hailing-services-301601296.html)
40. [Baidu greenlighted for China's first commercial driverless robotaxi (Chongqing Yongchuan)](https://autonews.gasgoo.com/articles/news/baidu-greenlighted-for-chinas-first-ever-commercial-driverless-robotaxi-service-70021009)
41. [Chongqing, Wuhan kick off commercial operation of fully unmanned auto-driving](https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202208/1272454.shtml)

_Canonical: https://deploy.report/models/apollo-rt6_