Akihabara News — In a significant step towards expanding its autonomous driving footprint outside mainland China, Baidu has been granted a license to test its Apollo Go robotaxi service in Hong Kong. This move comes as part of Baidu’s broader strategy to leverage its expertise in autonomous vehicles on the global stage, showing particular interest in regions like Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Arab countries.
The Hong Kong Transport Department has issued a five-year permit to Baidu Apollo International Ltd., allowing the company to conduct trials with ten autonomous vehicles in North Lantau. The license, effective from December 9, 2024, to December 8, 2029, marks the first time Baidu has been permitted to test its robotaxi service outside of mainland China.
Initially, only one self-driving car will operate at a time on designated road sections, with a backup operator on board to take control if necessary, ensuring safety during the trial phase.
Hong Kong, with its dense urban environment and complex traffic scenarios, presents a unique testing ground for Baidu’s technology. The city has been actively promoting autonomous vehicles since at least 2017, and this license follows the introduction of new regulatory legislation in March 2024, which facilitates such trials on public roads. This regulatory framework is expected to support the safe and orderly testing of autonomous vehicles, aiming to eventually connect key areas like the Hong Kong International Airport with nearby developments.
Baidu’s Apollo Go service has already made significant strides within China, operating in multiple cities with the largest fleet of over four hundred vehicles in Wuhan. The company has ambitious plans to not only enhance its domestic presence but also to establish a global footprint in the autonomous driving sector.
The expansion to Hong Kong is seen as a strategic move, especially with competitors like Tesla also gearing up for their robotaxi launches, which underscores the competitive nature of the autonomous vehicle industry.
This trial in Hong Kong could pave the way for Baidu to further refine its technology, particularly in handling the unique driving conditions of densely populated cities. If successful, it could lead to broader deployment not only in Hong Kong but also encourage Baidu to accelerate its plans for other international markets. The trial’s outcomes will be closely watched by both industry observers and potential users, as they could set precedents for how autonomous vehicles integrate into urban transport systems globally.
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