BEIJING, A Baidu Apollo Go robotaxi carrying a passenger plunged into a deep construction pit in Chongqing, southwestern China, raising fresh concerns over autonomous vehicle safety, local media reported.
The accident happened on Wednesday, according to outlets including Southern Metropolis Daily and Huashang Newspaper. The female passenger was unharmed and rescued by nearby residents using a ladder.
Videos circulating on Chinese social media showed the white Baidu Apollo-branded vehicle at the bottom of what appeared to be a construction trench. A local shop owner told Huashang Newspaper that the site had barriers and warning signs, though it was unclear how the robotaxi managed to bypass them.
Reuters verified the location of the footage but could not confirm how the vehicle ended up in the pit. Baidu has yet to comment.
The incident has reignited debate on Chinese social media about the safety of self-driving taxis.
Baidu operates one of China’s largest autonomous fleets, with services in Wuhan, Beijing, and Chongqing, and has been pursuing overseas expansion through partnerships with Uber and Lyft.
In May, competitor Pony.ai faced scrutiny after one of its vehicles caught fire in Beijing following a system malfunction while being handled by staff, with no passengers on board.
Last year in San Francisco, a Waymo robotaxi was set on fire by a crowd after entering streets filled with revellers, fueling discussions on whether autonomous cars can make sound real-time decisions.
