Baidu’s Apollo Go Wins Swiss Level 4 Permit for 80 km² Autonomous Service
BIDU•Baidu’s Apollo Go and PostBus partnership secured Switzerland’s FEDRO Level 4 permit for on-demand autonomous mobility across an 80 km² area in three cantons. Open-road tests began June 1, 2026, with fully driverless operations slated for early 2027 as Europe’s largest automated public transport service.
1. Regulatory Approval Secured
The Federal Roads Office granted Apollo Go and PostBus’s AmiGo service a special permit for Level 4 autonomous operations across an 80 km² region in St. Gallen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden. Open-road testing commenced June 1, covering public roads with a safety operator onboard.
2. Technology and Partnership Details
AmiGo integrates Apollo Go’s RT6 electric vehicles, each equipped with over 30 sensors for environmental perception and onboard data processing, with PostBus’s expertise in Swiss public transport. The service is fully electric and bookable via the AmiGo app, complementing existing transit in areas with limited coverage.
3. Path to Fully Driverless Operations
Upon fulfilling all safety requirements, plans call for removing safety operators and launching regular driverless rides in early 2027. This rollout marks the largest automated public transport initiative planned in Europe, positioning Baidu’s autonomous driving platform for broader market adoption.
