Approximately 100 robotaxis operated by Baidu’s Apollo Go ride-hailing platform experienced a system failure on Tuesday in Wuhan, China. The vehicles came to a complete stop in various locations, effectively becoming obstacles on the roadways.

System Failure Causes Widespread Disruption

The incident, attributed to a mysterious “system failure” by Baidu, resulted in the robotaxis halting wherever they were located. Reports indicate some collisions occurred, but a police statement confirmed that all passengers safely exited the vehicles without injuries.

Passengers Report Difficult Experiences

Passengers shared accounts of being stranded for extended periods, some for over an hour. One passenger reported taking 30 minutes to connect with a customer service representative. Another passenger, Ms. Zhou, received repeated warnings not to open her door.

Stranded on Elevated Ring Roads

Several passengers, including Ms. Zhou and Mr. Lu, found themselves stopped on Wuhan’s elevated “Ring Roads,” which offer no escape routes. Mr. Lu described large trucks speeding past his vehicle, while his in-car SOS button and calls made through the backseat screen were ineffective.

Delayed Assistance and Full Fare Charges

Mr. Lu ultimately contacted the police, who, along with Apollo Go staff, assisted him in exiting the highway around 11:00 PM. Despite the ordeal, Ms. Zhou was still charged the full fare for her ride. The entire incident lasted approximately two hours, comparable to the length of a feature film.

Similar Incidents and Ongoing Concerns

This incident echoes a previous event involving Waymo vehicles that stopped in blacked-out intersections, though those vehicles were moving slowly. However, the Baidu robotaxis reportedly stopped in more hazardous locations, including busy highways, raising concerns about the failure modes of this new technology.