Over 100 Baidu Robotaxis Disabled by System Failure in Wuhan

Key Details More than 100 autonomous taxis operated by Chinese tech giant Baidu came to a sudden halt on roads and expressways in Wuhan on March 31 due to a system malfunction. Police reported receiving calls around 9 p.m. as passengers found themselves stranded in moving traffic. The robotaxis, part of Baidu's Apollo Go service, stopped mid-route with no immediate explanation to occupants. Why It Matters This marks the first major mass shutdown of robotaxis reported in China. Some passengers were trapped in vehicles stopped in middle lanes of elevated ring roads, creating safety concerns as other cars passed on both sides. While most passengers were able to exit safely, the incident raises questions about autonomous vehicle reliability and emergency protocols during system failures. What's Next Baidu has not yet commented on the cause of the malfunction or steps being taken to prevent similar incidents. The company operates over 1,000 robotaxis primarily in China and has recently expanded to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and is working toward launches in Britain and Switzerland. This incident could impact confidence in robotaxi technology as the industry continues rapid growth globally.