Fully driverless auto vehicle trials on Airport Island

The Transport Department has approved fully driverless autonomous vehicle trials on Airport Island today.

It is the first time test vehicles are allowed to operate without an in-vehicle backup operator.

The Airport Island pilot project has been up and running for over 18 months.

The renewed licence for Baidu's Apollo Go service covers Airport Island and North Lautau.

So far, the department has issued 8 pilot licences for the entire city.

Transport officials say safety is the government's top consideration.

Commissioner for Transport WINNIE TSE: "There will still be remote backup operators in a remote control center monitoring the trials of individual autonomous vehicles. And as to when the service area will be expanded for these trials, it very much depends on the operators' wishes and their business plans."