Autonomous driving technology is advancing rapidly, with the potential to boost traffic efficiency and improve road safety. To promote the technology in Hong Kong, the Transport Department has issued six autonomous vehicle pilot licences since 2024, allowing operators to conduct road tests in designated areas.
The first licence was granted to an intelligent driving technology company with more than a decade of experience in autonomous driving research and development. The firm has deployed its technology in 22 cities, spanning the Mainland and the United Arab Emirates.
Since receiving its licence in November 2024, the company has been testing across North Lantau, Cyberport and the Kai Tak Development Area. By utilising vehicle-mounted sensors, the company has collected data over more than 80,000km of safe driving.
Last month, the company began conducting cross-district tests in Kwun Tong and Kowloon City. Despite the high density of both vehicles and pedestrians in urban areas, the autonomous vehicles have maintained steady speeds, signalled and overtaken safely, and have even made smooth U-turns on narrow roads with the help of algorithms.
During the tests, a driver remains onboard as a backup operator, only taking control of the vehicle when necessary. The vehicles have typically operated with the driver’s hands off the wheel during routine travel.
System optimisation
The company’s Hong Kong Project Development Manager Nick Lau explained that as one of the most densely networked cities in the world, Hong Kong has complex and dynamic road conditions. The system has been optimised to comply with local traffic rules.
“Hong Kong is a right-hand-drive market. Our system has to fine-tune driving actions like stopping, overtaking and picking lanes so the vehicles handle right-side driving accurately. Second, there are conventional and spiral roundabouts in Hong Kong, which are different from those in other places. With strict traffic guidelines in play, our system has to learn these details to avoid any risks or violations,” he said.
Mr Lau also highlighted the challenges posed by unique traffic signals and temporary signs, such as hand-operated “Stop” and “Go” ones, which make recognition more difficult.
“We are continuing to fine-tune our machine-learning models to improve precision in these situations,” he added.
Technological advancements
Transport Department Electrical & Mechanical Engineer (Autonomous Vehicle) Ken Tang said that testing has progressed smoothly, with all vehicles maintaining stable performance.
Among the trials, the tests in North Lantau have achieved significant technological progress in four key areas: scaling the trials from a single vehicle to 10 vehicles operating simultaneously; designated passenger-carrying trials; expanded test area; and higher speeds.
“Trial routes for autonomous vehicles have steadily expanded, progressing beyond Airport Island to more complex highways and diverse communities. As the autonomous driving system has improved, vehicle speeds have gradually increased up to 50km per hour, depending on the posted speed limits of the relevant test sections,” he said.
The Transport Department has issued six pilot licences, covering 62 autonomous private cars and light buses being tested in various trial areas.
This year, it will progressively implement driverless operation of autonomous vehicles using only remote backup operators.
Based on the regular reports submitted by autonomous vehicle pilot operators, the department said it will review testing performance and safety, and require operators to conduct strict vehicle inspections to ensure the tests are performed in a safe and orderly manner.
