China Halts New Level 4 Self-Driving Permits After Baidu Robotaxi Disruption

Baidu’s Apollo Go robotaxi in China. (EPA via Yonhap)

China has reportedly suspended new permits for Level 4 (highly automated) self-driving vehicles, including robotaxis, after a major service disruption involving Baidu’s Apollo Go in Wuhan. The move is expected to slow the rollout of new vehicles, new pilot programs and expansion into additional cities.

Bloomberg reported on the 29th that three government agencies, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, held a meeting earlier this month with local officials running robotaxi or autonomous-driving pilot programs. The agencies called for comprehensive self-inspections and stronger safety monitoring, the report said, in an effort to prevent similar incidents after the Wuhan disruption.

Reuters previously reported on the 14th that Chinese authorities ordered self-inspections and tighter supervision of road tests and pilot operations for intelligent connected vehicles.

The measures restrict autonomous-driving companies from adding new robotaxis to their fleets, launching new pilot programs or expanding services to other cities. It is not yet clear how long the suspension will last.

The immediate trigger was a disruption on March 31 in Wuhan involving Apollo Go. Citing Chinese media, Bloomberg said more than 100 Apollo Go robotaxis stopped on city roads. Reuters reported that local police attributed the incident to a system malfunction. Baidu has not publicly disclosed the exact cause.

Apollo Go is China’s largest robotaxi operator, running hundreds of vehicles in more than 12 cities.

Bloomberg said this is at least the second time Chinese authorities have paused new permits tied to a Baidu-related issue. In late 2024, approvals were frozen for several months after Wuhan residents pushed back against the spread of robotaxis, and the process resumed only in early 2025, the report said. Concerns about taxi-driver job losses were cited as a factor behind the opposition. Bloomberg also reported that Baidu’s robotaxi operations in Wuhan were halted during the authorities’ investigation.

MIIT, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Transport did not respond to requests for comment, and Baidu did not immediately respond, Bloomberg said.

Separately from the permit suspension, existing services are continuing. Pony.ai said its services in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen are operating normally, and preparations to enter Changsha and Hangzhou are proceeding as planned. WeRide said it supports efforts to strengthen safety standards and that its services in China are operating normally.

* This article has been translated by AI.

AJP