SynCab & HKU Launch Hong Kong's First AI Taxi Dispatch

SynCab, a premium Hong Kong taxi fleet operator, has partnered with the University of Hong Kong (HKU) to launch the city’s first AI-powered taxi dispatch system, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and reducing passenger wait times.

Developed jointly with HKU’s Smart Mobility Lab, the system processes real-time data—including traffic conditions, weather, and battery levels of electric taxis—to assign rides intelligently. The AI uses deep learning to estimate energy usage and optimize allocations, with the goal of minimizing idle time and service gaps. SynCab, which currently operates 160 vehicles, plans to expand the system to 425 taxis. A soft launch began in January, with a full-scale rollout on July 14.

Key Highlights

• SynCab and HKU launch Hong Kong's first AI taxi dispatch system
• Real-time AI assigns rides based on traffic, weather, and battery data
• July data shows doubled bookings and faster confirmations than competitors

Uniquely, drivers using the new system must accept all AI-generated ride assignments, a move the company says will improve acceptance rates and reduce passenger wait times.

Professor Ke Jintao, who led the HKU team, emphasized the system’s ability to continuously learn and improve. Early data supports this: in July, order volumes doubled, and SynCab was the only fleet to confirm a booking within 30 minutes during a South China Morning Post test—succeeding in just 11 minutes.

This rollout follows a global trend in AI-based dispatch. Similar systems in Tokyo (Toyota–JapanTaxi) saw a 20.4 percent boost in driver sales, showing how predictive, real-time AI can enhance driver earnings while improving passenger satisfaction.

Also Read: Uber & Baidu Partner to Launch Robotaxis in Asia & ME

With Hong Kong’s taxi licenses frozen since 1994, operational efficiency is more critical than ever, and SynCab’s AI bet may set a new benchmark for urban mobility.