{
  "id": 14640847,
  "title": "Over 1,000 Hongkongers to ride Baidu’s robotaxis in city-first public trial",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/over-1-000-hongkongers-to-ride-baidus-robotaxis-in-city-first-public-14640847",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T07:14:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post-hong-kong",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3370979/over-1000-hongkongers-ride-baidus-robotaxis-city-first-public-trial"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Baidu, the Chinese technology giant, plans to launch Hong Kong's first large-scale public trial of autonomous vehicles (AVs) next week, offering over 1,000 residents the opportunity to ride in Baidu's robotaxi platform, Apollo, from October 21 to November 3. Iris Wong, a senior project and business development manager for Baidu's intelligent driving group, emphasized this trial as a significant milestone for the city's autonomous driving sector. Wong stated that the public test rides aim to showcase Baidu's advanced autonomous driving technology and high safety standards to Tung Chung residents and the broader Hong Kong public. Additionally, the company hopes to gather real-world feedback to encourage widespread adoption of the technology, paving the way for autonomous fleets to join the city's public transport system and transition to regular operations.\n\nThe trial route consists of a 5.1km loop, taking approximately 15 minutes, starting at Yat Tung Estate Carpark 1 and concluding at the Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung Hotel. Each autonomous vehicle can accommodate up to two passengers, both of whom must be taller than 1.35 meters, with the front passenger seat intentionally left empty. The vehicles lack barrier-free features and have been instructed to prioritize the needs of passengers with limited mobility, who are advised to exercise extra caution during the trial.\n\nTo ensure passenger safety, each vehicle is accompanied by a backup operator with an average of 10 years of driving experience and at least 100 hours of autonomous driving training. In the event of an emergency, the operator can pull over to the roadside and evacuate passengers once it is safe. Remote monitoring from Baidu's control center also adds an extra layer of safety during test rides. During a recent test ride with a South China Morning Post reporter, the operator kept his hands off the steering wheel and only intervened when a large rubbish bag threatened to hit the vehicle.\n\nThe Transport Department granted Baidu a pilot license for autonomous vehicles in 2024, and the company's testing districts have since expanded beyond the Airport Island to North Lantau, Kowloon East, and Hong Kong Island South. In July, the department also permitted driverless tests on Airport Island, with no backup operators in the vehicles. Furthermore, Baidu has collaborated with the MTR Corporation and the Airport Authority to conduct a road test of a transfer service between Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and the Airport Express Kowloon Station. To date, Baidu's autonomous vehicles have traveled over 280,000 kilometers safely in Hong Kong.",
  "summary": "More than 1,000 residents are expected to ride in autonomous vehicles (AVs) after Chinese technology giant Baidu launches Hong Kong’s first large-scale public trial next week. Baidu’s robotaxi platform, Apollo, will run the trial in Tung Chung from October 21 to November 3, inviting more than 1,000 residents to take part. Iris Wong Man-hei, senior project and business development manager for the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Over 1,000 Hongkongers to ride Baidu’s robotaxis in city-first public trial",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/over-1-000-hongkongers-to-ride-baidus-robotaxis-in-city-first-public",
        "published": "2026-10-15T07:14:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}