21st August 2025 – (Hong Kong) Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing service, Apollo Go, has surpassed 14 million public rides as of August 2025, solidifying its position as a leader in the sector. The announcement came as part of the company’s second-quarter financial results released on Wednesday. Notably, Apollo Go has expanded its Hong Kong operations, with the city serving as a key milestone for Baidu’s entry into broader right-hand drive markets.
The Hong Kong Transport Department recently granted Apollo Go a new pilot license to extend its trials to the Southern District, building on its earlier operations in North Lantau, including Airport Island and Tung Chung. Since receiving its initial autonomous vehicle pilot license in November 2024, Apollo Go has recorded over 20,000 kilometres of safe autonomous driving in Hong Kong. The expansion into the Southern District marks the third phase of its trials in the city within the past six months, enabling the service to navigate more complex urban environments.
Hong Kong represents Apollo Go’s first deployment in a right-hand drive, left-hand traffic market, demonstrating the system’s adaptability to diverse traffic conditions. Baidu’s Co-founder and CEO, Robin Li, highlighted the strategic importance of Hong Kong during the company’s earnings call, saying, “Our experience here provides valuable insights for entering other right-hand drive markets, strengthening our confidence in scaling Apollo Go globally.”
In the second quarter of 2025, Apollo Go delivered over 2.2 million fully driverless rides, marking a 148% increase year-on-year. Cumulatively, the service has logged more than 200 million autonomous kilometres while maintaining an exceptional safety record. Currently operating in 16 cities worldwide, Apollo Go continues to combine advanced technology, operational expertise, and rigorous safety protocols to expand its global footprint.
Baidu’s ambitions for Apollo Go extend well beyond Hong Kong. In July, the company announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Uber to deploy thousands of Apollo Go autonomous vehicles across various international markets, starting in Asia and the Middle East later this year. This was followed in August by a partnership with Lyft, aimed at deploying Apollo Go vehicles in key European markets, including Germany and the United Kingdom, with plans to scale operations across Europe from 2026 onwards, pending regulatory approval.
Apollo Go has also commenced open-road testing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, further cementing its position as a global pioneer in autonomous ride-hailing. These expansions are part of Baidu’s strategy to collaborate with leading ride-hailing platforms and leverage their networks to accelerate the adoption of autonomous vehicles worldwide.
