Robotaxi service provided by Baidu's Apollo Go in Hong Kong tests hit 20,000km of incident-free driving.
Baidu's Apollo Go Robotaxi Service Makes Strides in Hong Kong's Driverless Trials
Baidu's Apollo Go robotaxi service has been making steady progress in Hong Kong's driverless vehicle trials, having completed over 20,000 kilometers of safe driving since starting trials last year. The service currently tests 10 vehicles on about 20 streets in Tung Chung and has recently been approved to expand its trials to the Cyberport business hub.
The success of these trials is significant for Baidu as Hong Kong uses right-hand-drive vehicle configurations. If successful, this could pave the way for Baidu to scale its robotaxi services in other right-hand-drive markets, such as Singapore, Malaysia, and parts of the UK and Germany. Hong Kong serves as a proving ground for vehicle and AI system adaptability in driving environments different from China’s left-hand-drive cities.
The trials in Hong Kong began after Baidu received the city's first autonomous vehicle pilot licence in November last year. The success of these tests could serve as a reference for promoting self-driving technology in right-hand-drive markets worldwide.
The autonomous vehicle trials have been conducted in specific areas of Hong Kong, namely Northern Lantau and Tung Chung. These trials have been ongoing since November last year and have been successful, according to Baidu.
In a recent meeting, Hong Kong chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu met with Baidu co-founder and CEO Robin Li Yanhong. The meeting, which occurred as part of this year's policy address consultation, was attended by officials from the Transport Department. Discussions focused on the stable and safe operation of Apollo Go's robotaxis in Hong Kong, the application scenarios and industrial adoption of autonomous driving technology in Hong Kong, and artificial intelligence development. Baidu provided input on the topics discussed during the meeting.
The meeting is part of the ongoing discussions regarding autonomous driving technology in Hong Kong. As Hong Kong expands its driverless vehicle trial areas to develop the sector, the city is keen on collaborating with international companies like Baidu to bring cutting-edge technology to its streets.
In summary, the stable and safe operation of Apollo Go's robotaxis in Hong Kong’s driverless trials supports Baidu’s strategic goal to expand autonomous ride-hailing into multiple international right-hand-drive markets, enhancing their global footprint and commercial viability. The success of these trials in Hong Kong could potentially influence the promotion of self-driving technology in other right-hand-drive markets, contributing to the development of the autonomous driving industry worldwide.
Technology plays a crucial role in the success of Baidu's Apollo Go robotaxi service, as it showcases the company's advancements in autonomous driving technology. The trials in Hong Kong serve as a proof of concept for expanding Baidu's robotaxi services in other right-hand-drive markets, further enhancing their global technological footprint.
