Four districts in southern China on Saturday initiated a pilot program allowing autonomous vehicles to operate across city borders under a unified system of car registration.

The program covers Guangzhou’s Nansha, Shenzhen’s Qianhai and Bao’an, and Hengqin. It seeks to simplify regulations to enhance Greater Bay Area integration and enables certified robotaxis to travel freely across these regions.

Participants include Pony.ai, Baidu’s Apollo Go, Chenqi Technology, and Cowa Robot, with services aimed at transportation hubs and cross-city trips for self-driving trucks.

This framework addresses regulatory inconsistencies that previously limited cross-city operations, setting the stage for broader regional adoption.

Future plans may extend to Hong Kong and Macau, with Baidu applying for trials at Hong Kong International Airport, signaling a commitment to expanding autonomous vehicle operations in southern China.