Beijing Issues China's First Permits for Driverless Robotaxis
Beijing grants Baidu and Pony.ai the nation's first permits to operate robotaxis without a safety driver behind the wheel. Passengers can now hail these fully autonomous vehicles in a designated suburban area.
Beijing grants China's first autonomous driving permits to Baidu Inc and Pony.ai, allowing the removal of a safety operator from the driver's seat on public roads. Under these new rules, 14 autonomous vehicles operate without a driver behind the steering wheel in a 60-square-kilometer designated area in Yizhuang, a southern suburb of the capital. A safety supervisor remains in the front passenger seat to monitor the vehicle's performance.
Passengers access this innovative service through the Apollo Go mobile app, with Baidu currently offering free rides between 10 am and 4 pm. Baidu plans to add 30 more driverless vehicles to its fleet to expand public access, and the company expects to deploy completely empty robotaxis without any safety personnel inside within the next six months.
Pony.ai operates its approved robotaxi service across hundreds of convenient locations, including subway stations, parks, and residential buildings. Industry leaders describe this regulatory approval as a critical milestone that transitions autonomous vehicles from closed testing phases to offering real ride-hailing services to everyday public passengers.