- Baidu-backed Apollo Go robotaxis halted mid-road in Wuhan after a system malfunction, snarling traffic and causing collisions.
- Authorities say the stoppage likely triggered a Level 4 safety “minimal risk” self-check; all passengers evacuated unharmed.
- The incident exposes a commercialization dilemma as China’s robotaxi fleets scale: strict safety protocols versus urban traffic disruption.
On the evening of March 31, multiple users in China’s Wuhan city reported on social media that a large number of Apollo Go robotaxis suddenly stopped mid-journey, with hundreds of vehicles reportedly halting in the middle of roads.
The incident quickly triggered a chain reaction, causing widespread congestion across major urban roads and elevated highways, with some sections even seeing rear-end collisions.
One local driver reported that while driving a Tank 300 on the Dongfeng Avenue elevated road, they encountered a suddenly stopped Apollo Go vehicle and were unable to avoid a collision, resulting in severe front-end damage. Authorities later ruled shared liability.
In the early hours, Wuhan traffic police said they had received emergency calls and dispatched personnel along with Apollo Go staff to handle the situation.
Preliminary findings indicate the incident was caused by a system malfunction. All passengers exited safely and no injuries were reported.
As of the morning of April 1, affected vehicles had resumed normal operations, with the exact cause still under investigation.
Industry observers suggested the stoppage was likely triggered by an emergency safety self-check mechanism, commonly referred to as a “minimal risk condition.”
This mechanism requires the vehicle to come to a complete stop when the system detects potential risks or loses operational confidence, aiming to prevent more severe incidents.
It is a mandatory safety design in Level 4 autonomous driving systems.
Similar cases have occurred globally. In December 2025, Waymo robotaxis halted at intersections after a power outage disabled traffic signals, also due to safety protocols being activated.
Apollo Go, launched by Baidu in 2021, is an autonomous ride-hailing platform currently operating fully driverless services and testing in cities including Beijing, Wuhan, Chongqing, Shenzhen, and Shanghai.
As of February 2026, Apollo Go has completed over 20 million rides, expanded to 26 cities worldwide, and accumulated more than 300 million kilometers of autonomous driving mileage.
The incident has sparked widespread public debate. While companies emphasize safety and reliability, the sight of hundreds of vehicles immobilized on major roads has raised concerns among users.
With multiple players including WeRide, Pony.ai, and Didi Autonomous Driving accelerating Robotaxi commercialization in China, balancing safety protocols with real-world traffic impact is becoming a critical industry challenge.
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