{
  "id": 2939897,
  "title": "MTR is testing driverless cars to connect West Kowloon and Kowloon Airport Express stations",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/mtr-is-testing-driverless-cars-to-connect-west-kowloon-and-kowloon",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-24T04:21:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Time Out Hong Kong",
    "slug": "time-out-hong-kong",
    "url": "https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/news/mtr-is-testing-driverless-cars-to-connect-west-kowloon-and-kowloon-airport-express-stations-082426"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "MTR is testing driverless cars to link West Kowloon and Kowloon Airport Express stations. The trial employs four sixth-generation Baidu Apollo electric vehicles to shuttle commuters between the two locations, reducing the transfer time from a 10-minute walk to approximately seven minutes. The road trials are conducted under a pilot license from the Transport Department and will advance through four phases, starting with on-road testing without passengers and progressing to non-commercial passenger trials, remote control monitoring, and finally, fully driverless passenger trips. If successful, the AV service will commence in the second quarter of 2027. MTR also plans to introduce a new in-town check-in and baggage drop counter at West Kowloon Station, enabling travelers arriving on high-speed rail to drop their luggage and proceed to Kowloon Station via a self-driving car.",
  "summary": "Travellers will soon get point-to-point station transfers, along with in-town check-in and baggage drop",
  "key_points": [
    "MTR testing driverless cars between West Kowloon and Kowloon Airport stations.",
    "Four Baidu Apollo electric vehicles shuttle commuters in road trials.",
    "AV service to start in Q2 2027 with new check-in counter at West Kowloon."
  ],
  "editors_take": "MTR's driverless car trial signals a potential shift in Kowloon's transport network, promising faster commutes and integrated services for travelers using high-speed rail and self-driving cars.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}