Big step for driverless cars. AutoX,backed by Alibaba, launched fully driverless robotaxis on Shenzhen streets . Announced Thursday,AutoX becomes first in China to run cars without safety drivers or remote operators. A real shift from old rules that needed humans watching over.
Fleet of 25 minivans,using Fiat Chrysler Pacifica,now roams busy Shenzhen streets. AutoX released video showing car picking up passengers, loading packages,even taking dog. It smoothly navigated around trucks and pedestrians,showing what it can do.
“It’s a dream,” said Jianxiong Xiao,CEO of AutoX. “After working so hard for so many years,we’ve finally reached the point that the technology is mature enough, that we feel confident by ourselves,to really remove the safety driver.”
Xiao credits success to big upgrades in car software and hardware. Company runs over 100 vehicles daily across China to collect data,boosting AI behind robotaxis. “From a technical point of view, car is ready,” he said,stressing this as key moment for driverless future.
Since 2016,AutoX has zeroed in on self-driving tech,partnering with big automakers to launch robotaxis. Current trial isn't open to public yet,but Xiao hopes to expand to regular passengers in two to three years.
AutoX leads in China but isn't alone in driverless race . Earlier this year,it got nod for fully autonomous tests in San Jose,California. Waymo from Alphabet offers unmanned rides in Phoenix,Arizona. Chinese rivals Didi and Baidu also testing their own services,though with safety drivers still on board.
Push for autonomous cars accelerated by pandemic,which upped demand for contactless services. Didi's giving free rides in an autonomous zone in Shanghai,while Baidu's robotaxi's running in parts of Beijing.
AutoX now operates in five cities,including Shanghai and Wuhan,and plans to expand to over 10 cities next year. But future in other markets depends on regulatory green lights,Xiao noted. In Shanghai,users can book AutoX cars via Alibaba’s Autonavi app.
Shenzhen's nod came after six months of trials,where AutoX tweaked its tech for local roads,more challenging than U.S. Xiao talked about aggressive drivers and delivery bikes and scooters,forcing major AI adjustments.
China,with its massive car market,could lead in automated vehicle services. McKinsey report says up to $1.1 trillion in revenue from autonomous mobility by 2040. But Xiao warns of big hurdles,thinking unmanned taxis might take five more years to go mainstream in China. “The bar is incredibly high,” he said . “It’s extremely challenging,but we’re very happy…”
