Baidu Secures Robotaxi Trial License in Hong Kong

Chinese tech giant Baidu has received a license to test its autonomous vehicles in Hong Kong through its Apollo robotaxi service. The license, granted by the Hong Kong Transport Department on Friday, allows Baidu Apollo International Ltd to conduct trials with 10 autonomous vehicles in North Lantau.

The permit is valid for a five-year period from December 9, 2024, to December 8, 2029. Initially, the testing phase will allow only one driverless vehicle on designated road segments at any time. As a safety measure, a backup operator will be present in the vehicle to take control if necessary.

This development is part of a broader initiative aimed at adopting autonomous driving technology in Hong Kong. The government has actively promoted the use of autonomous vehicles since at least 2017 and has expanded trials to include public roads following new regulatory legislation that came into effect in March this year.

This pilot license, issued by the Hong Kong government, marks a first under the new regulatory framework and represents Baidu's first permit for autonomous vehicle testing outside mainland China.

Baidu's Apollo Go robotaxi service currently operates in several cities across China, boasting the largest fleet in Central China’s Wuhan with over 400 vehicles. Amid increasing competition in the autonomous vehicle industry, Baidu is reportedly aiming to expand its robotaxi operations beyond mainland China to regions such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Middle East.