The Transport Department (TD) announced today (June 5) that a pilot licence for autonomous vehicles (AVs) has been issued to approve an AV trial between Sunny Bay and Siu Ho Wan, in accordance with section 4(1) of the Road Traffic (Autonomous Vehicles) Regulation (Cap. 374AA).

     The trial involves a bus operating in autonomous mode, routeing through the Sunny Bay Public Transport Interchange, Sunny Bay Road, Cheung Tung Road and the Discovery Bay Tunnel Toll Plaza. During the trial, a backup operator will be stationed in the vehicle at all times to take over control of the vehicle when necessary. The TD's label for pilot AV shall be displayed on the pilot AV for identification by other road users. Details of the pilot licence have been uploaded to the TD's website on AV trials.

     A spokesman for the TD said that the project, funded by the Smart Traffic Fund, aims to develop a 20-seat autonomous driving bus suitable for the complex road environments in Hong Kong. It will test the use of advanced "neuromorphic event-based camera" technology for shortening the reaction time and response distance of the autonomous driving system. Upon completion, the project will provide practical data to enhance autonomous driving technology in Hong Kong.

     Chaired by the Commissioner for Transport, the Autonomous Vehicle Applications Promotion Working Group will, in collaboration with relevant departments and the industry, review the progress of each AV project; provide steer on the trial locations, vehicle types and licensing arrangements required to support the commercial development of AVs; and explore appropriate regulatory arrangements to allow AVs to provide a certain degree of commercial services in specific areas on an individual pilot basis.

     The TD welcomes interested organisations or enterprises to submit applications for a pilot licence for AVs. Upon receipt of an application, the TD will consider various factors, including the operational design domain and functions of the autonomous driving system, relevant national or international standards/guidelines, and the road testing conditions, based on the Code of Practice for Trial and Pilot Use of Autonomous Vehicles, before approval. Driving and road safety remain the Government's top priorities. The Government will draw on practical experience to refine technical standards, share research findings with the industry in a timely manner, and implement initiatives to promote AVs in a prudent and orderly manner.

Ends/Friday, June 5, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:30

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