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Hong Kong transport
Opinion
SCMP Editorial
Editorial
SCMP Editorial

Hong Kong can act as a springboard for Chinese driverless technology

City and nation can benefit from the merging of mainland technological prowess with Hong Kong’s role as a global innovation hub

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An Apollo Go vehicle at Chek Lap Kok on July 23. Photo: Elson Li
SCMP Editorial
Editorials represent the views of the South China Morning Post on the issues of the day.
Driverless cars are another lap closer to becoming a fixture on Hong Kong roads after the authorities relaxed rules to allow testing of such vehicles at the airport without backup human operators behind the wheel. It is a welcome milestone on the path to safe adoption of technology expected to tackle transport sector costs and manpower challenges as well as help the city become a global springboard for autonomous vehicle innovation.

The Transport Department announced on July 23 that safety requirements were met during earlier remote-operation tests of the technology developed by Chinese tech giant Baidu. While human drivers will no longer be along for the ride, standby controllers will continue to monitor test trips remotely.

Since first licensed in November 2024, the company has expanded the trials from Chek Lap Kok to other parts of North Lantau, Kowloon East and Southern district. Fleet size and speed limits have been increased as designated passenger test runs were conducted.

Some worry that Hong Kong is still moving too slowly. Driverless ride-hailing is already in use in markets including the United States, where Waymo runs autonomous taxi services. Amazon’s Zoox is testing robotaxis in San Francisco and Las Vegas. Apollo Go has deployed fleets in mainland Chinese cities such as Shenzhen.

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