Everyday we inch closer to the futuristic world predicted in Wall-E. For good or for bad, mainland Chinese multinational technology company Baidu Apollo International Limited has commenced its driverless private car trial runs across the Kowloon City and Kwun Tong Districts from early November, while the Airport Authority has commenced its driverless public light bus trials between 11Skies and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Hong Kong Port.
Since 2019, autonomous vehicles (AVs) have been gradually integrated into everyday life in the city, starting with the use of automatic operational vehicles at the Hong Kong International Airport. To date, three pilot proprietors have been allowed to operate AVs in specific areas in Hong Kong, including North Lantau, the West Kowloon Cultural District, the Southern District, and at the airport.
To minimise disruptions to normal traffic in the city, Baidu Apollo has been cleared by the Transport Department to trial its autonomous cars between 1am to 5am, 10am to 4pm, and 8pm to 11pm from Mondays to Saturdays, and between 8am to 10pm on Sundays. Out of the 10 cars scheduled for trial, no more than three will be allowed to operate on the trial route at the same time.
These driverless cars’ routes will encompass several major streets in the urban districts, including Shing Fung Road, Shing Kai Road, Muk On Street, Kai Shing Street, Concorde Road, and Muk Yuen Street in Kowloon City, and Kai Wah Street, Wang Kwong Road, Kai Shun Road, Wang Chiu Road, Kai Cheung Road, Sheung Yuet Road, and Sheung Yee Road in Kwun Tong. AVs on trial will make stops at Runway 1331, Muk On Street, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department Headquarters, Skyline Tower, Sheung Yuet Road, Zero Carbon Park, and Muk Yuen Street. If you’re deeply wary of such technology, then at least you know which areas to avoid!
This marks the first unmanned vehicle trial within commercial and residential districts in Hong Kong. While the Transport Department has yet to announce additional AV trials in other districts, it seems adamant to introduce this mode of travel to the city. Despite this tech push, concerns over road and pedestrian safety remain, especially following recorded collisions involving driverless vehicles at the airport. Here’s hoping Baidu Apollo’s auto automobiles can safely navigate the dense traffic in Kowloon City and newly constructed roads around Kai Tak.
Stay up to date with the upcoming AV trials on td.gov.hk.