China’s Baidu has been granted a license to test its autonomous vehicles in Hong Kong, marking the company’s first expansion of its Apollo robotaxi service outside mainland China. The Hong Kong Transport Department issued a statement on Friday, confirming that Baidu Apollo International Ltd has been approved to conduct trials with 10 autonomous vehicles in the North Lantau region.

The license is valid from December 9, 2024, to December 8, 2029, with only one self-driving vehicle permitted to operate on designated road sections during the initial phase. A backup operator will be present in the vehicle during the trials to take control if necessary.

Hong Kong has actively promoted autonomous vehicle development since 2017 and recently enacted new legislation in March 2024 to facilitate broader trials, including on public roads. This pilot license is the first issued under the updated regulatory framework.

Baidu’s Apollo Go robotaxi service, which operates in multiple cities in China, has the largest fleet in Wuhan, with over 400 vehicles. As the race to commercialize autonomous vehicles intensifies, Baidu plans to expand its robotaxi service to other markets, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Middle East.

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