China has suspended licenses for robotaxi services after a Baidu-operated autonomous fleet malfunctioned in Wuhan, leaving passengers stranded. The decision, announced by local regulators, halts operations pending an investigation into the incident.
A fleet-wide failure in Wuhan
Dozens of Baidu’s self-driving taxis stopped working simultaneously across several districts of Wuhan, witnesses reported. Passengers were unable to get out of the vehicles or contact support for an extended period. The company has not disclosed how many vehicles were affected or the exact nature of the malfunction.
Baidu’s robotaxi service, known as Apollo Go, launched in Wuhan in 2022 and expanded rapidly. The fleet is one of the largest commercial deployments of fully autonomous ride-hailing in the country. The suspension affects all current licenses for driverless taxis in Wuhan, according to the city’s transportation bureau.
The cause of the suspension
Regulators said the suspension is a precautionary measure while they review safety protocols. The investigation will focus on the software glitch that led to the fleet-wide failure, as well as the emergency response system that failed to assist stranded passengers.
Baidu has not commented on the specific technical issue. The company’s shares dropped 4% in trading following the announcement.
What’s next for robotaxi services in Wuhan
The suspension applies to all robotaxi licenses in Wuhan, not just Baidu’s. Other companies operating autonomous fleets in the city, including Pony.ai and WeRide, will also have to pause. The duration of the suspension has not been specified. Regulators said they will lift the ban only after the investigation is complete and safety improvements are verified.
For now, passengers in Wuhan who relied on robotaxis will need to switch to regular ride-hailing services. The incident raises questions about the reliability of large-scale autonomous fleets, though regulators have not indicated any broader policy changes for the rest of China.
