Baidu and public transport operator PostBus to launch robotaxis in Switzerland
Baidu partners with Swiss PostBus to launch "AmiGo," a robotaxi service using Apollo Go autonomous vehicles. Testing begins in eastern Switzerland in December, with full operation expected by 2027. This collaboration aims to supplement public transport and expand Baidu‘s global autonomous driving footprint.
Chinese internet search and artificial intelligence giant Baidu is teaming up with Swiss public transport operator PostBus to bring robotaxi services to Switzerland.
Beijing-based Baidu and PostBus, a subsidiary of national postal service Swiss Post, said in a joint statement on Wednesday that the two companies expected to start testing their on-demand smart mobility service, AmiGo, in the eastern region of Switzerland by December and scale up trials next year.
AmiGo will deploy Baidu's Apollo Go autonomous vehicles to complement the public transport system in the region, according to the statement.
The proposed robotaxi coverage in eastern Switzerland would include the cantons of St Gallen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden. The country has a total of 26 cantons, which are the member states of the Swiss Confederation.
Baidu and PostBus plan to launch regular operations of AmiGo by the first quarter of 2027 at the latest. Commuters in the coverage areas would be able to book either private or shared autonomous rides through the AmiGo service.
The PostBus partnership marked the latest international expansion for Baidu's Apollo Go robotaxis, which currently operate in more than 15 cities, including Hong Kong, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In mainland China, these robotaxis operate in more than 10 major cities, including Beijing and Shanghai.
"We will work closely with PostBus to enhance smart mobility in Switzerland, supplementing the existing public transport network and contributing to the nation's reputation for innovation," said Zhang Liang, general manager of overseas business at Baidu's Intelligent Driving Group, in the statement.
The on-demand AmiGo service will use Baidu's sixth-generation autonomous vehicle, the RT6. It leverages the Apollo Autonomous Driving Foundation Model, enabling the vehicle to navigate complex urban environments autonomously.
Baidu said it has deployed a fully driverless fleet of more than 1,000 Apollo Go vehicles globally.
The pact with PostBus followed Baidu's partnership with US ride-hailing firm Lyft in August to launch robotaxis in Germany and the UK as early as 2026, pending approval from local regulators.
In July, Baidu and American ride-hailing pioneer Uber Technologies agreed to work in a multi-year venture to deploy thousands of Apollo Go robotaxis in markets outside the US and China.
Other Chinese autonomous driving companies – including Pony.ai, Momenta and WeRide – have formed similar alliances with Uber to deploy robotaxis in various international markets, especially across Europe and the Middle East.
