Hong Kong approves first fully driverless autonomous vehicle trials on Airport Island

Hong Kong has taken a significant step toward autonomous mobility by approving the city's first trial of fully driverless vehicles on Airport Island. The Transport Department announced on Thursday that it had expanded the scope of a pilot license for autonomous vehicle trials in North Lantau, concluding that earlier remote-operation tests met safety requirements. Previously, since February, autonomous vehicle trials required a person inside the car as a backup, alongside a remote operator monitoring from a control center. Under the new arrangement, the human occupant will be removed entirely, though the vehicle will still be monitored remotely. Commissioner for Transport Winnie Tse Wing-yee stated that the tests have been 'ideal, safe and operating smoothly.'

Chinese technology giant Baidu received Hong Kong's first pilot license for autonomous vehicles in November 2024. The company's vehicles have been undergoing remote-operation testing on Airport Island since February. This expansion marks a milestone for autonomous driving in Hong Kong, positioning the city as a testbed for fully driverless technology in a controlled environment. The move is expected to accelerate adoption and regulatory frameworks for autonomous vehicles in other parts of the city.