Baidu and Uber Partner to Launch Robotaxis in Asia and Middle East

Baidu and Uber have announced a multi-year partnership to deploy thousands of Apollo Go robotaxis across Asia and the Middle East, marking a major expansion of autonomous vehicle services outside the United States and mainland China.

Credit: BAIDU

The deployment is expected to begin later this year, according to a joint statement from the companies. It remains unclear whether Hong Kong, where Baidu began trial operations of Apollo Go in early May, will be included in the rollout. Uber is not licensed to operate non-taxi vehicles in the city.

The partnership comes as Tesla expands its robotaxi pilot service in the United States. This week, Tesla widened the geofence for its autonomous vehicle programme in Austin, Texas, less than a month after its initial launch.

Credit: BAIDU

Baidu, a Chinese search engine and artificial intelligence company, has already deployed more than 1,000 driverless vehicles globally. Its Apollo Go service operates in 15 cities, including Shenzhen, Wuhan, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Apollo Go vehicles support Level 4 autonomous driving, which allows them to operate without human input under specific conditions in urban and highway environments. The system uses sensors, cameras and software to navigate and follow traffic rules, though a driver may need to intervene outside its operational limits.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the collaboration combines two major technology firms to shape the future of mobility. He noted that Uber’s global platform, which spans mobility, delivery and freight, is well-positioned to help autonomous vehicle leaders like Baidu scale their technology worldwide.

Baidu co-founder, Chairman and CEO Robin Li Yanhong said the partnership represents a significant step in bringing autonomous driving to more markets. He expressed confidence in delivering safe and efficient mobility solutions through the collaboration.

Baidu began testing Apollo Go vehicles in September and launched its commercial service in 2022. Uber currently operates autonomous vehicle services in several cities through partnerships with companies such as Pony AI, Waymo and Volkswagen.

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• Baidu and Uber will deploy Apollo Go robotaxis in Asia and the Middle East later this year

• The partnership excludes the US and mainland China

• Baidu has over 1,000 autonomous vehicles operating in 15 cities globally

Source: SCMP

JBL Tour One M3 Smart TX Review: Broadcast, Control and Connect with Ease!

JBL returns with a strong upgrade to its flagship headphones, and this time, it’s more than just a new model, it’s a whole new experience. The JBL Tour One M3 Smart TX Combo, delivers a compelling combination of premium audio, wireless freedom, and smart features.

Compared to its predecessor, it boasts better active noise cancellation (ANC), improved microphone performance, and an entirely new way to share and control audio. Whether you’re commuting, flying long-haul, or taking daily Zoom calls, this package is designed to make your life sound better.

Smart TX

The standout new addition is the Smart TX, a compact yet powerful transmitter that completely transforms how you use your headphones.

It supports Auracast, which allows you to broadcast audio wirelessly to an unlimited number of JBL Tour One M3 headphones, perfect for group watching or shared listening. No need to worry about pairing each headset individually.

But that’s not all, it also functions as a remote control, letting you skip tracks, adjust volume, or toggle ANC directly from the device itself. This eliminates the need to touch your phone or headphones constantly. Even better, the Smart TX works independently via AUX or USB-C, meaning you can enjoy wireless audio even from non-Bluetooth sources, like airplane screens or older audio gear.

Design and Build

The Tour One M3 continues JBL’s trend of sleek, high-end design. With metal accents, soft-touch plastics, and plush memory foam ear cups, these headphones look as good as they feel.

Built with comfort in mind, they are clearly designed for long listening sessions. Whether you’re on a red-eye flight or a full workday of back-to-back meetings, ear fatigue is minimal, a true highlight for frequent users.

Sound Quality

When it comes to sound, JBL doesn’t disappoint. The Tour One M3 carries the brand’s signature tuning rich, punchy bass, clear mids, and detailed highs that make everything from music to movies sound full and engaging.

The adaptive noise cancellation is especially impressive, easily drowning out engine hum, train rumbles, and office chatter without distorting the audio. It intelligently adjusts in real-time to your surroundings, offering a smooth, uninterrupted listening experience.

Microphones

On the call front, JBL has equipped the Tour One M3 with four adaptive beamforming microphones powered by AI. These help to reduce background noise and echoes from all directions, giving you clear voice pickup whether you're in a quiet room or a noisy café.

The headphones are even Zoom-certified, making them a reliable option for professional virtual meetings.

You can customize mic sensitivity and call audio through the JBL companion app, an underrated feature. Tweak how much of your voice you hear with VoiceAware, or balance out loud and quiet speakers on the other end for a more pleasant conversation.

Battery Life

Battery performance is another strong point. You get up to 70 hours of playback, or 40 hours with ANC enabled, which places these headphones comfortably in the top tier for longevity.

That means multiple days of use on a single charge ideal for travel, work, and everything in between.

Pricing and Conclusion

At SGD$499, the JBL Tour One M3 Smart TX Combo is undoubtedly a premium offering, but it also delivers a complete package that justifies the price. Available in Mocha, Blue, and Black, it’s stylish, powerful, and feature-rich.

With standout features like Auracast broadcasting, independent Smart TX control, superb ANC, and pro-grade call quality, the JBL Tour One M3 Smart TX combo is one of the most versatile and complete headphone solutions on the market today. If you want headphones that go beyond just sound, this pair should be at the top of your list.

China Targets 'Irrational' Price War in Electric Vehicle Sector

China's cabinet has pledged to rein in what it described as "irrational" competition in the electric vehicle industry, as a prolonged price war continues to disrupt the world's largest auto market.

The announcement followed a cabinet meeting on Wednesday led by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Officials said the government will strengthen cost investigations and price monitoring to address the ongoing pricing battles among automakers.

The cabinet committed to promoting high-quality development in the electric vehicle sector and implementing both short- and long-term measures to curb harmful competition.

No specific details were provided on the planned regulations.

The government will also push major automakers to honour supplier payment terms and support them in enhancing competitiveness through technological innovation and quality improvements.

Industry regulators and executives have previously warned that excessive competition could damage the sector’s long-term sustainability.

Concerns over oversupply remain, with reports indicating that new vehicles have been shipped overseas as "used" since 2019.

In addition to the electric vehicle measures, the cabinet also discussed boosting domestic consumption.

Policymakers said they would remove unreasonable restrictions that limit household spending and improve policies for a consumer goods trade-in programme.

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• China to regulate pricing in electric vehicle industry amid ongoing price war

• Cabinet to enforce cost checks and price monitoring

• Automakers urged to honour supplier payments and improve quality

Source: REUTERS