Buckle up, Hong Kong! The future of transportation is rolling in soon, and it’s looking sleek, smart, and driverless. Baidu, the tech giant behind China’s Apollo Go robotaxi fleet, is set to begin trial operations in your city by the end of this year.
First Stop: Hong Kong International Airport
Baidu has big plans to start trial operations of Apollo Go in Hong Kong, beginning with a test run at the airport. If all goes well, this trial phase will take place during off-peak hours, offering a sneak peek at what the future of commuting might look like.
But don’t expect these robotaxis to go completely solo just yet! The initial phase will include a seasoned backup driver with over 10 years of experience to ensure smooth and safe operations.
A Leader in Autonomous Innovation
Baidu has been paving the way in self-driving technology since 2013, and Apollo Go is the crown jewel of their efforts. Earlier this year, they introduced their sixth-generation robotaxi—a sleek and cost-effective vehicle priced at $27,600 USD, an impressive 60% cheaper than its predecessor.
With such advancements, scaling the fleet has been a breeze. Baidu plans to deploy 1,000 of these next-gen vehicles in Wuhan alone by the end of this year. In fact, Wuhan has already had a taste of 100% driverless ride-hailing services since June, with no human behind the wheel at all.
Why This Matters
Apollo Go isn’t just a cool tech experiment—it’s a game-changer. Baidu has already rolled out robotaxis in more than 10 cities across mainland China, clocking over 8 million rides to date. In the third quarter of 2024 alone, Apollo Go provided nearly 1 million rides, a 20% year-on-year increase.
For Hong Kong, this means embracing a greener, smarter, and more efficient mode of transport. Plus, who wouldn’t want to ride in a car that feels like it belongs in a sci-fi movie?
What’s Next?
Baidu has already submitted applications for trial licenses and autonomous vehicle certificates to the Hong Kong Transport Department. The department has committed to conducting rigorous checks to ensure that testing proceeds in a safe and orderly manner.
If approvals go smoothly, Hong Kong could soon be joining the autonomous revolution. Imagine zipping to your destination in a taxi that doesn’t need lunch breaks or coffee to stay alert.
The future is closer than you think, Hong Kong. Are you ready to take the ride?
For more details, check out the official article on CnEVPost
Comments