Baidu’s Apollo Go has secured a Level 4 autonomous driving permit in Switzerland, a first for a Chinese tech firm in Europe. The permit, issued by the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO), allows the company to operate its AmiGo robotaxi service in partnership with Swiss Post’s PostBus.

The service area spans 80 km² across three eastern cantons. Baidu claims the operation is on track to become the largest planned automated public transport system of its kind in Europe.

This approval puts Baidu ahead of rivals Waymo and Tesla in deploying driverless vehicles into European public transport. The company has been expanding its autonomous driving operations globally, with previous tests in China and other markets.

The move signals growing acceptance of Chinese autonomous vehicle technology in Western markets, despite geopolitical tensions in the tech sector. It also highlights the potential for cross-border partnerships in transportation innovation.

Critics argue that regulatory challenges and public safety concerns remain significant hurdles for widespread adoption of Level 4 robotaxis in Europe. They note that local infrastructure and weather conditions may pose unforeseen challenges for autonomous systems developed in different environments.