China approves commercialization of self-driving taxis

The Beijing Municipal Government has approved Baidu’s self-driving taxi business to collect fares from customers. It is the first time that the commercialization of autonomous driving services has been recognized in China. This decision will allow Baidu to build a self-driving taxi business.

Baidu has been operating and testing the self-driving taxi Apollo Go for free in Beijing Economic and Technological Development Zone since October 2020. Wei Dong, vice president of Baidu’s Intelligent Driving Group, reports that Apollo Go is already used by more than 20,000 users, with each user taking at least 10 rides a month.

From November 26, 2021, the Beijing Municipal Government has approved the collection of Apollo high fares limited to the area around Fengjiang, Tongzhou District, which is the Beijing Economic and Technological Development Zone. It is the first time that the commercial use of autonomous vehicles has been approved in Korea. Baidu does not disclose the specific fare, but according to reports, it is expected to be about double Didi Chuxing.

While Apollo Go requires a human companion, Baidu is said to be testing fully unmanned operation as well. Wei said fully autonomous vehicles will be on the roads within the next two years.

Baidu has proposed a policy to expand Apollo Go to 100 cities by 2030. Vice President Wei said that he would focus on the strategy of using Apollo Go to move facilities such as medical facilities and public libraries, or on the strategy of bringing users an experience that goes beyond simple means of transportation, such as reflecting the image of 20 years ago on a car window. Related information can be found here.