Baidu claims its robotaxis rival traditional ride-hailing in parts of China

BEIJING — Chinese tech institution Baidu said its robotaxi concern successful ample cities is adjacent to gaining the aforesaid traction with locals arsenic accepted ride-hailing services.

During the 3rd quarter, each of Baidu's self-driving taxis completed an mean of much than 15 rides a time successful Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, CEO Robin Li said Tuesday, according to a FactSet transcript of the net call.

"According to our knowledge, this fig is rather adjacent to the mean regular rides for accepted ride-hailing services," Li said. He did not stock however galore cars were successful each section fleet.

For comparison, trips per progressive conveyance connected ride-hailing apps successful New York City averaged astir 12 a time successful September, according to the latest disposable municipal data.

In Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, Baidu's robotaxis — branded Apollo Go — tin lone run successful definite suburban areas.

The institution did not accidental whether it could complaint fares for its robotaxi rides successful Guangzhou oregon Shanghai.

About 12 months ago, Baidu gained Beijing city's support to commencement charging fares for robotaxi rides successful the territory of Yizhuang, astir fractional an hour's thrust from the halfway of the superior city.

Those rides inactive necessitate a quality unit subordinate to beryllium successful the car.

However, this week Baidu said it obtained support from section Beijing authorities to trial 10 robotaxis without immoderate quality unit successful the beforehand row.

Pony.ai, a start-up that besides operates a robotaxi business, said it obtained akin approval.

Both companies' robotaxi rides successful Beijing's Yizhuang territory stay heavy subsidized. A CNBC cheque of some Apollo Go and Pony.ai apps Wednesday recovered a discount of much than 80% was applied.

Baidu has robotaxi operations successful galore cities successful China, and tin complaint for fares successful astatine slightest seven, according to the company.

Total robotaxi trips successful the 3rd 4th climbed by much than 300% from a twelvemonth agone to much than 474,000 rides, the institution said Tuesday.

When asked during the net telephone erstwhile Apollo Go would interruption even, the institution said it believed the robotaxi volition yet beryllium profitable and cheaper than existent ride-hailing services, and that the interaction of to Baidu's wide nett and nonaccomplishment and currency travel is "manageable."