Baidu's Apollo Go Eyes Global Expansion for Robotaxi Unit
Baidu's Apollo Go unit is in talks to expand into global markets in the near future. WeRide partners with Uber for robotaxi integration in Abu Dhabi, with no immediate plans for similar collaborations in the U.S. or China. BYD and Uber collaborate on developing autonomous-capable vehicles, details undisclosed.
While specific details regarding the timing and regions for this expansion remain undisclosed, the move signifies Baidu's strategic push beyond its domestic operations.
Baidu stands as a key player in the realm of robotaxis within China, with regulatory bodies in select areas like Beijing and Wuhan - Apollo Go's primary operational hub - now permitting commercial deployment of self-driving taxis after years of restricted internal testing. In a parallel development, Tesla is poised to host a highly anticipated robotaxi event on Thursday.
WeRide, a fellow Chinese developer of robotaxis, recently unveiled plans in late September to integrate its vehicles into the ride-hailing platform of industry giant Uber in Abu Dhabi later this year. Notably, the collaboration is exclusive to Abu Dhabi, with no immediate intentions for similar partnerships in the U.S. or China.
In a bid to bolster autonomous capabilities, BYD and Uber had earlier announced a joint initiative to develop "autonomous-capable vehicles" for integration into Uber's ride-hailing platform. However, specifics regarding this collaboration were not disclosed, leaving room for speculation on the extent of their partnership.
Robotaxi services in China, including those offered by Baidu and other players like Pony.ai, are often heavily subsidised to incentivise consumer adoption. Moreover, local regulations mandate the presence of a human staff member inside the vehicle during operations, underscoring that not all vehicles are entirely autonomous.
As of late July, Apollo Go had successfully completed over 7 million robotaxi rides, underscoring the unit's growing presence and acceptance among consumers. In a separate announcement, Baidu disclosed a change in its executive lineup, with Rong Luo stepping down as CFO to assume the role of executive vice president overseeing the company's mobile ecosystem unit. Junjie He, the former head of the mobile unit, will take on the interim CFO position, with Baidu framing these changes as part of a broader "management rotation."
Baidu's Apollo Go unit is in talks to expand into global markets in the near future.
WeRide partners with Uber for robotaxi integration in Abu Dhabi, with no immediate plans for similar collaborations in the U.S. or China.
BYD and Uber collaborate on developing autonomous-capable vehicles, details undisclosed.
Source: CNBC