Hong Kong authorities are increasing autonomous vehicle (AV) tests and road availability. Baidu showcased its sixth-gen AV, preparing for remote-controlled operations. The government has issued seven pilot licenses for 63 AVs, with speed limits raised to 50km/h.
Baidu's Apollo Go experienced a large-scale operational disruption in Wuhan on March 31, with nearly 100 autonomous vehicles suddenly stopping. This led to a government-mandated review and a temporary halt on new permits for self-driving vehicles, impacting industry expansion plans.
WeRide boss Tony Han Xu believes the first fully autonomous cars may arrive on streets by 2035, as global carmakers and tech firms accelerate the application of self-driving technologies despite roadblocks. The latest setback came when Chinese regulators stepped in after an incident in Wuhan on March 31. Authorities scaled back the issuance of new autonomous driving licences after a system failure on March 31 involving Baidu’s Apollo Go fleet, which left passengers stranded and disrupted traffic...
China is tightening licensing requirements for robotaxis after a March 31 system failure involving Baidu's Apollo Go fleet left passengers stranded during evening rush hour in Wuhan, disrupting traffic for hours. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology convened a meeting with transport authorities urging the industry to conduct self-inspections and strengthen safety oversight. While curbs do not amount to a complete halt, new approvals for autonomous driving licenses will be harder to secure as regulators shift focus from rapid expansion to safety and stability.
