Baidu’s Apollo Go is preparing to launch its robotaxi service in Hong Kong, marking its first expansion outside mainland China.

This initiative coincides with intensifying competition in the autonomous driving sector, especially in light of Tesla’s anticipated Cybercab launch following a two-month delay.

Reports indicate that Baidu plans to expand Apollo Go into multiple international markets.

A spokesperson confirmed that the company intends to introduce its autonomous driving platform, Apollo 10.0, designed for global adoption.

Baidu’s expansion strategy reflects a growing trend among Chinese autonomous vehicle firms to penetrate international markets.

Recently, WeRide secured permission for driverless vehicle tests in California, while Pony.ai has expanded its operations into Singapore and Saudi Arabia.

Baidu reported approximately 899,000 completed rides for Apollo Go in the three months through June this year, representing a 26% increase from the previous year.

Launched in August 2022, the service has primarily operated in select areas of major Chinese cities, typically with a safety driver present.