Baidu, a pioneering AI company, amplifies its autonomous ride-hailing service, Apollo Go, to offer commercial driverless rides in Shenzhen, escalating its nationwide operations in China.
What’s Happening
Baidu, Inc., a principal figure in AI technology and internet services, has been granted a commercial license to scale its autonomous ride-hailing service, Apollo Go, in Shenzhen. With this authorization, Baidu robotaxis are now permitted to operate without a safety driver, turning Shenzhen into the fourth city in China, following Wuhan, Chongqing, and Beijing, to adopt this innovative mode of transport.
Why It Matters
This licensure marks a considerable milestone in Baidu’s expansion of its fully driverless ride-hailing service throughout China. Apollo Go robotaxis, with the new license, are set to operate daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. across 188 square kilometers in Shenzhen. Baidu’s extensive service will cater to a wide array of commuters, available through the Apollo Go app, Baidu Maps, Baidu App, and various other platforms.
Key Points
Baidu’s groundbreaking Apollo Go has been hailed as the world’s largest autonomous ride-hailing service, accumulating over 2 million rides by Q1 2023. The venture has been met with rave reviews from users, with a remarkable average rating of 4.9 out of 5. Baidu plans to deploy an additional 200 autonomous robotaxis in 2023, solidifying its commitment to the growth and development of China’s autonomous driving industry.
Bottom Line
The expansion of Baidu’s Apollo Go into Shenzhen is a testament to the city’s innovation-focused positioning within the intelligent connected vehicle industry. With the company’s steadfast dedication to enhancing user experiences and autonomous driving technology, Baidu is primed to further consolidate its standing as a central player in China’s smart transportation industry.
