Baidu Apollo receives China’s first permit for testing ICVs without safety driver

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese Robotaxi operator Hunan Apollo Intelligent Transportation (Hunan Apollo) was permitted on Sept. 15 by Changsha regulators to test intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) without any safety officer, becoming the first company in China that obtained such kind of permit.

(Apollo Robotaxi is Changsha; photo source: Hunan Apollo)

Founded in April 2019, Hunan Apollo is jointly controlled by Baidu, Changsha Pilot Industry Investment Co.,Ltd. and Hunan Xiangjiang Intelligent Science and Technology Innovation Center Co., Ltd. It was set up for a scale operation of Apollo Robotaxi fleet.

Changsha previously established a partnership with Baidu Apollo as far back as 2018. On September 26, 2019, Baidu announced in Changsha the beginning of trial operations of its Robotaxi service. From then on, local citizens can apply via Apollo's official website to be among the earliest seed users to have test rides.

(Baidu displays fully automated driving at the Baidu World 2020; photo source: Baidu)

While receiving the significant license from Hunan's authorities, Baidu displayed its fully automated driving capability at the Baidu World 2020.

Li Zhenyu, Corporate Vice President of Baidu and General Manager of Intelligent Driving Group (IDG), demonstrated the technology in Beijing's Shougang Park.

"The three core components of Apollo's Fully Automated Driving technology are pre-installed and mass-produced vehicles, the 'experienced AI driver', and the 5G Remote Driving Service," said Li.

With pre-installed and mass-produced vehicles as the basic carrier, the AI driving system is now able to manipulate the vehicles independently, and the 5G Remote Driving Service allows human operators to intervene in case of emergencies.

Apollo's leading technology in factory-installed and mass-produced vehicles is a prerequisite for fully automated driving. In 2019, Baidu partnered with FAW Group to jointly develop Hongqi EV Robotaxi, the first pre-installed and mass-produced Robotaxi in China, which has been deployed in self-driving tests in such cities as Beijing, Changsha, Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Cangzhou. 

“The autonomous driving industry will enter the stage of full commercialization in 2025”, said Robin Li, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Baidu.