Baidu's Apollo Go to Begin Fully Driverless Testing in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Transport Department has issued its first autonomous driving test license to Baidu's Apollo Go, permitting fully driverless road tests on Airport Island starting July 27. This marks the world's first public road test of a fully driverless vehicle in a right-hand drive, left-hand traffic system. Testing in a right-hand drive, left-hand traffic environment is a critical milestone for Baidu's global expansion, as this traffic system is used in many international markets. It also represents a major step forward in Hong Kong's strategy to promote the scale and commercialization of autonomous vehicles. The approval comes after successful trials using remote operators to monitor the vehicles, which met all safety and stability requirements. While the Airport Island tests will have no backup driver on board, tests in Tung Chung and Sunny Bay will still require an in-vehicle backup operator alongside a remote operator.