Baidu’s Apollo Go expands to Wuhan airport, marks first in China’s autonomous ride-hailing

Baidu, Inc., a powerhouse in artificial intelligence (AI) and internet technologies, announced today a game-changing extension of its Apollo Go autonomous ride-hailing service to include Wuhan Tianhe International Airport. This groundbreaking move makes Apollo Go the first autonomous ride-hailing service in China to connect urban centers with an airport and the first to operate on both urban roads and highways. Initially available to a select group of Apollo Go users by invitation, the service will open to the general public in September.

Wuhan Tianhe Airport: A Perfect Stage for Apollo Go’s Growth

The expansion to Wuhan Tianhe International Airport is a monumental stride for Baidu, as it tests its robotaxi fleet in more complex operational scenarios. The location couldn’t be better for Apollo Go’s growth; Wuhan Tianhe Airport is one of China’s top eight regional hub airports, located 25 kilometers from Wuhan’s city center. The airport has seen a total of 125,000 international regional passengers this year, making it the leader in the central China region. The airport now manages approximately 1,000 daily flights, up from 700, underlining its prominence in central China and nationwide.

Baidu’s Apollo Go leads in driverless airport rides, connects urban and highway roads. Photo courtesy of PRNewswire/Baidu, Inc.

Future Plans: Apollo Go to Expand Services Across Wuhan Districts

After solidifying its presence in the airport area, Apollo Go has ambitious plans to broaden its services across Wuhan. The company aims to roll out its autonomous ride-hailing service in various core districts of Wuhan, including Jingkai District, Hanyang District, East and West Lake District, and Qiaokou District, among others.

A Surge in Ride Orders: Apollo Go Records Impressive Growth

As a leader in autonomous ride-hailing services, Apollo Go is showing exponential growth, with over 3.3 million cumulative ride orders as of June 30, 2023. In the second quarter of this year alone, the platform provided 714,000 rides, representing a staggering 149% YoY increase. Baidu’s fully autonomous robotaxi fleet is now operational in five major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shenzhen, and Wuhan, making it the first to achieve full-scale autonomous driving operations and testing across multiple cities.

In summary, Baidu’s Apollo Go is pushing the envelope in autonomous ride-hailing services, starting with its expansion to Wuhan Tianhe International Airport. The company is not just pioneering driverless airport transportation in China but also has an ambitious roadmap for further expansion across key districts in Wuhan, backed by impressive growth numbers.