Key Highlights
- More than 100 Apollo Go autonomous taxis froze simultaneously across Wuhan streets Tuesday following a system malfunction
- Some riders remained stuck inside vehicles for approximately two hours, with one highway crash documented
- Local authorities verified the event and confirmed all passengers safely departed, while investigations continue
- The breakdown sparked renewed concerns across Chinese platforms regarding autonomous technology deployment
- Baidu remains silent on the matter with no official statement released
Baidu’s Apollo Go operation — China’s most extensive robotaxi network — encountered a major disruption Tuesday evening when over 100 autonomous vehicles abruptly halted across multiple Wuhan roadways.
Authorities in Wuhan acknowledged the disruption through an official Weibo announcement, citing a “system malfunction” as the probable trigger. While all riders ultimately exited safely, several hesitated due to dangerous traffic conditions and contacted police for assistance.
Reuters-verified footage circulating on Douyin depicted vehicles obstructing traffic lanes throughout the metropolitan area. Social media reports indicate at least one highway accident occurred during the incident.
Several riders allegedly remained confined in the immobilized vehicles for nearly two hours until resolution. Apollo Go personnel coordinated with local officials to address the disruption.
Wuhan serves as Apollo Go’s primary operational hub, hosting over 1,000 completely driverless vehicles. The metropolis has functioned as a flagship market for Baidu’s self-driving initiatives.
Baidu declined to provide comments when contacted by Reuters and CNBC before this report.
Previous Safety Incidents
This represents another chapter in ongoing robotaxi safety concerns. Last August, an Apollo Go vehicle carrying a rider plunged into a construction excavation in Chongqing. In May, a Pony.ai car ignited while traveling on a Beijing street. Both events concluded without casualties.
In the United States, a San Francisco electrical failure late last year caused Waymo’s robotaxi network to stop operating, creating comparable traffic disruptions.
The Wuhan breakdown generated substantial discussion on Chinese social platforms, with commenters questioning the technology’s readiness for widespread commercial use.
International Expansion of Apollo Go
Despite Tuesday’s operational failure, Apollo Go continues aggressive international expansion. Baidu’s Q4 2025 earnings revealed 3.4 million completely autonomous trips during the quarter, with weekly volumes exceeding 300,000 during busy periods.
The platform now operates or tests in 26 international locations. Middle Eastern markets recently welcomed fully autonomous operations in Abu Dhabi, while Dubai services recently launched through the Uber platform.
Apollo Go maintains collaborative agreements with Uber and Lyft for London pilot programs. Uber has not yet addressed inquiries regarding potential impacts on its Dubai operations following the Wuhan malfunction.
Chinese insurance authorities are reportedly preparing regulatory frameworks for autonomous vehicle coverage, according to Monday’s Yicai Global reporting. The Wuhan breakdown may expedite these regulatory developments.
Investigations into the malfunction’s root cause continue.
