CaoCao Inc. has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with K2, an Abu Dhabi government-owned AI technology company, to deploy its first robotaxi fleet in the United Arab Emirates. Testing and validation will begin in Abu Dhabi this year, marking an accelerated phase of Middle East expansion for the Geely-backed autonomous mobility platform.
Who does what
Under the agreement, K2 will leverage its local resources and government backing to provide testing environments, operational infrastructure and access to the UAE's mobility and technology ecosystem. CaoCao contributes its purpose-built robotaxis, vehicle operations and platform management, plus technical support and professional training for operators. The structure is designed to support commercial deployment in the UAE before extending to additional regions.
Abu Dhabi as the anchor market
The deal follows CaoCao's earlier cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and cements the emirate as the company's primary entry point for the Middle East. Abu Dhabi has become a preferred launchpad for Chinese AV operators going global, offering a government-backed partnership structure and regulatory environment that can ease permitting and smooth operational hurdles. K2's state ownership, in particular, signals institutional support that a private fleet partner could not provide.
Part of Geely's RoboX push
CaoCao is the primary commercialization platform for Geely Holding Group's RoboX strategy, which targets a cumulative 100,000 robotaxis and 100,000 Robovans deployed globally by 2030. The company recently unveiled what it calls China's first purpose-built robotaxi, scheduled for mass production in 2027, with the UAE deployment among its first international milestones.
A rapid run of deals
The K2 agreement lands just days after CaoCao announced a European expansion partnership with May Mobility, underscoring how quickly the RoboX strategy has moved from planning into execution. The pace mirrors a broader global robotaxi acceleration, from Zoox's commercial launch to sensor and autonomy tie-ups such as Innoviz and Mobileye. The gap between signed agreements and commercial scale, however, remains considerable.
Reporting based on coverage from GlobeNewswire (CaoCao Inc.) and Automotive World.