China is rapidly scaling up its robotaxi programs, with autonomous ride-hailing services now operating in over a dozen cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Chongqing. Leading the charge are Baidu’s Apollo Go and Pony.ai, who have received fresh approvals from the Ministry of Transport to expand driverless fleets without safety operators on board.
With millions of autonomous kilometers already logged, China is now the world’s largest real-world testbed for autonomous urban mobility.
Baidu’s Apollo Go: No Driver, No Steering Wheel
Baidu’s Apollo Go platform is now running fully driverless taxis in Wuhan and Chongqing, with over 500 autonomous vehicles in active service. The latest models feature no steering wheel or pedals, using an in-house developed “Xuanwu” AI driving system.
Rides are booked via Baidu Maps or the Apollo Go app, with average wait times under 5 minutes.
Passengers enjoy:
- Voice-controlled music, climate, and destination changes
- On-screen AI assistant for safety updates and traffic info
- Real-time video link to remote support centers (for emergencies)
“The goal is to create the safest, smartest urban transport experience—without human error,” said Zhenyu Li, head of Baidu’s Intelligent Driving Group.
Pony.ai Scales to Tier-2 Cities
Pony.ai, backed by Toyota and headquartered in Silicon Valley and Guangzhou, recently received permits to operate robotaxi services in Tier-2 cities like Hangzhou and Suzhou.
Their vehicles run on the PonyPilot+ platform and include:
- Level 4 autonomy in mapped urban zones
- Redundant braking, steering, and power systems
- Predictive AI for cyclist and pedestrian movement
The company has announced plans to go public in Hong Kong by late 2025, signaling confidence in regulatory support and commercial viability.
Government Support & Regulation
China’s Ministry of Transport has outlined a national roadmap for smart mobility, including:
- Autonomous lane pilots in 20+ cities by 2026
- Incentives for private robotaxi investments
- Integration of V2X (vehicle-to-infrastructure) in smart city developments
Officials believe robotaxis could cut traffic congestion, reduce CO₂ emissions, and improve transport access for seniors and the disabled.
Rider Reactions: Trust is Growing
Public acceptance is rising. A recent Tsinghua University survey showed:
- 68% of urban riders feel comfortable using robotaxis
- Top concerns are still emergency handling and data privacy
Many riders are impressed by the smooth acceleration, defensive driving behavior, and polite AI voice prompts.
Global Implications
China’s momentum places it ahead of the U.S. and EU in real-world autonomous deployment. While Waymo and Cruise remain in limited pilot stages in the U.S., China’s approach—top-down regulation and tech conglomerate backing—has enabled faster scaling.
Expect other Asian nations like Singapore, Japan, and South Korea to follow China’s lead over the next two years.
