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Baidu begins collecting robotaxi fares in Beijing
Starting today, $Baidu (BIDU.US)$ robotaxi business, called Apollo, can charge fees for passengers taking one of its 67 self-driving cars in Beijing. It's the first time a large city in China has allowed companies to charge the public for robotaxi rides, and sets the stage for other cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou to do the same. So far, Baidu can only offer public robotaxi rides when a safety driver is accompanying passengers, but expects that to change in the next year or two.
Bigger picture: While Baidu didn't reveal exact pricing of the new service, it said fares would be similar to other premium ride-hailing apps like $DiDi Global (Delisted) (DIDI.US)$ - which can cost twice as much as ordinary rides. The new autonomous regulatory permit also covers an area of 60 square kilometers, including a town called Yizhuang that features businesses like JD.com's headquarters. On Nov. 16, Alibaba's (NYSE:BABA) autonomous driving company AutoX claimed its fully driverless robotaxis now operate in the largest single region in China - 168 square kilometers located in Shenzhen's Pingshan District.
Over in the U.S., $Alphabet-C (GOOG.US)$ Waymo has been testing self-driving taxis primarily in California and Arizona. Waymo can currently charge the public for fares in a part of Phoenix, while its driverless vehicles don't need a safety driver. $General Motors (GM.US)$ self-driving unit Cruise said earlier this month that it applied for final approval to become the first robotaxi operator to commercialize fully autonomous rides in San Francisco.
Apollo goes global? "We have partnered with many transportation companies in China and are trying to partner with similar companies in other places," said Wei Dong, VP of Baidu's intelligent driving group. "If there is such demand for autonomous driving in other markets, Baidu is willing to cooperate with overseas partners, whether it is an operating company, an automaker or another transportation company. We can export our technologies and experience, and jointly operate in certain areas on the basis of complying with local laws and regulations... Baidu is willing to open up for the international market."
Recent rumors also suggested Apple might be speeding up on the self-driving racetrack. See Apple might build an autonomous car. Who gets the call to be a partner?
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CMebaby : they have no chance against elon musks 2million+ robotaxis already operating here.
they should just shit down that biz before they waste more shareholder capital on it
Mack Swire : Tesla should do this too.
CoCoLand KNJW : Citing national security concerns, Chinese authorities have been reluctant to allow overseas regulators to inspect working papers from local accounting firms.
BeautyWolf : Sweet! 67 cars though? Why so few?
Industry Trends BeautyWolf : No customers
hgar BeautyWolf : it's only a 60 square km area. there is no need for more in such a small area