AmiGo, the on-demand autonomous mobility service developed by Baidu’s Apollo Go and Swiss Post subsidiary PostBus, has received a special operating permit from Switzerland’s Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) for Level 4 operations across an approximately 31-square-mile (80 km²) area of Eastern Switzerland. The permit confirms that AmiGo‘s vehicles and autonomous driving system meet Switzerland’s defined safety and quality requirements, according to Baidu. Open-road trials with a safety operator on board have been underway since June 1, 2026, in the cantons of St. Gallen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, and Appenzell Innerrhoden.
Highlights
- FEDRO has issued a special permit authorizing Level 4 autonomous operations for AmiGo in Eastern Switzerland
- Open-road trials began June 1, 2026, across an approximately 31-square-mile (80 km²) service area spanning three cantons
- Fully driverless regular operations are targeted for early 2027, pending all safety and regulatory requirements
- The company reports Apollo Go delivered 3.2 million fully driverless rides in the first quarter of 2026
A Regulatory Framework for Autonomous Public Transport
The FEDRO permit establishes the operating framework for what Baidu describes as the largest planned automated public transport operation of its kind in Europe.
“Automated driving evolves through real-world operating experience. That is exactly what AmiGo represents. With the largest trial of this kind, Switzerland is reaching a new dimension: multiple vehicles, a real service area, and a concrete public transport offering. The FEDRO permit provides the framework — with clear requirements, defined responsibilities, and the objective of learning from operations for the next steps,” said Jürg Röthlisberger, Director of FEDRO.
“Receiving FEDRO’s special permit is an important milestone for AmiGo and a strong validation of our technology. Under Switzerland’s rigorous safety framework, AmiGo represents an important step toward integrating autonomous mobility into the country’s public transport system. We look forward to working closely with PostBus to deliver a safe, reliable, and sustainable service for communities in Eastern Switzerland,” said Nan Yang, Vice President of Baidu and General Manager of Overseas Business Unit, Intelligent Driving Group.
“With AmiGo, we are making automated mobility in public transport tangible,” said Stefan Regli, CEO of PostBus and member of the Executive Board of Swiss Post. “The special permit from FEDRO shows that we can implement operations step by step and under clearly defined safety requirements. Our focus is on building a safe and reliable service that meaningfully complements existing public transport.”
How the AmiGo Service Operates
The service pairs Apollo Go’s RT6 vehicles and autonomous driving technology with PostBus’s experience operating Swiss public transport. AmiGo is designed to complement the existing public transport network, particularly in areas where conventional services reach their limits. The fully electric service is bookable through the AmiGo app.
Each RT6 vehicle:
- Carries up to three passengers and is fully electric
- Uses more than 30 sensors for environmental perception and real-time onboard data processing
- Features a removable steering wheel, designed to be taken out once the service transitions to fully autonomous operations
When Will AmiGo Operate Without Safety Drivers?
The next phase involves a closed-group user trial, followed by initial rides without safety operators once all safety evidence is fully provided. The longer-term goal is regular operations from 2027, with rides bookable through the AmiGo app.
Apollo Go’s Global Operations
The company reports that Apollo Go delivered 3.2 million fully driverless rides in the first quarter of 2026, with weekly rides peaking at more than 350,000 in March — 120% year-over-year growth. As of April 2026, cumulative rides provided to the public exceeded 22 million, according to Baidu. The platform’s footprint now spans 27 cities, and the company reports its fleets have accumulated more than 205 million autonomous miles (330 million km) as of May, including more than 137 million fully driverless miles (220 million km).
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