Baidu's Apollo Go Takes Lead in Right-Hand Drive Robotaxi: First Fully Driverless in Hong Kong, Challenges Waymo in London

On July 23, 2026, Hong Kong's Transport Department approved Baidu's Apollo Go to conduct fully driverless testing on Airport Island, removing the safety officer from the vehicle. This is Hong Kong's first fully driverless autonomous driving public road test and the world's first fully driverless test in a right-hand drive, left-hand traffic system. The approval came after nearly two years of preparation, starting with Hong Kong's first autonomous vehicle pilot license in late 2024, followed by gradual expansion of multi-vehicle operations, passenger-carrying, route extensions, and speed increases. Shortly after, Apollo Go announced partnerships with Uber and Lyft's Freenow to start public road tests in London, covering urban and suburban mixed road conditions. Initial tests are in the London Borough of Brent, with plans to offer driverless services to the public by 2027 after regulatory approval. Apollo Go is the only Chinese Robotaxi company on London's list of pre-communication Robotaxi operators, which includes Wayve, Baidu, and Waymo. This development moves global Robotaxi competition from left-hand drive markets (US and China) into right-hand drive markets, which cover over 70 countries and 2 billion people. Right-hand drive adaptation involves more than just mirroring steering wheel and traffic rules; it requires understanding local driving habits, such as roundabout directions, drop-off zones, bus lane usage, and intersection yielding. Hong Kong's complex environment includes double-decker buses, minibuses, dense taxis, narrow roads, and manual traffic control. Right-hand drive markets are fragmented but high-value, including the UK, Japan, Australia, and Singapore. London is considered a key battleground due to its complex road network, strict regulations, and high commercial potential. Waymo has also started autonomous testing in London with professional drivers, while Apollo Go's entry into London creates a direct comparison between the two leading Robotaxi systems. Both Uber and Lyft have chosen to partner with Apollo Go, indicating strong commercial validation. Apollo Go's ability to enter both platforms' global plans suggests it offers a scalable Robotaxi product with mass-produced vehicles and cross-market deployment capability.