From CNBC: 2024-07-11 01:34:32

More than 70% of Baidu Apollo Go robotaxi rides in Wuhan were fully driverless as of April, with the company aiming for complete autonomy in coming quarters, prompting concerns among taxi drivers about job security. The rise of robotaxis in China has gained traction on social media, with Baidu’s Apollo Go unit becoming one of the top 10 trending hashtags on Weibo.

The attention on robotaxis comes as major Chinese cities increase support, while smaller cities have restricted ride-hailing apps. Wage growth in China has slowed, with over 7 million registered ride-hailing drivers as of May. This surge has led to some local governments placing restrictions on the industry, such as suspending online ride-hailing businesses in Guyuan and new ride-hailing licenses in Guiyang.

China is pushing ahead with support for robotaxis, with multiple ministries releasing plans to promote cloud-connected cars and pilot robotaxi operations in several cities. Beijing has allowed operators to collect fares from the public for robotaxi rides with safety drivers, while also developing rules for unmanned vehicles. The public-facing rides are currently subsidized, with regulatory developments impacting the future of autonomous vehicles in the country.

Read more: China’s robotaxi push sparks concerns about job security for drivers