Robotaxis get green light for airport run
Baidu and Pony.ai's autonomous driving vehicles test on the street in Yizhuang in Beijing's southern suburb. Beijing has granted permits to several robotaxi operators, including Baidu Inc and Pony.ai, allowing them to offer driverless vehicle services at Beijing Daxing International Airport, a key step indicating that the city has become the world's first capital to run autonomous passenger vehicles between urban areas and the airport. The approval, granted by the head office of Beijing High-Level Automated Driving Demonstration Area, allows these companies to provide self-driving vehicle services on 40-kilometer expressways connecting the international airport with Yizhuang in Beijing's Daxing district, as well as in some designated areas within the airport. "The approval is of great significance in further accelerating the commercialization of autonomous driving technology across the nation," said Zhang Xiang, a researcher at the Jiangxi New Energy Technology Institute, adding that other first-tier cities are likely to follow Beijing and allow the commercial operation of driverless vehicles at their airports in the future. According to BloombergNEF's Electric Vehicle Outlook, China will operate the world's largest robotaxi fleet with about 12 million self-driving vehicles by 2040, followed by the United States with around 7 million such vehicles.
Elon Musk makes surprise visit to China in push for autonomous Tesla approval
Discover Related
Spotlight on AI as future game changer
Robots signal tangible benefits of cooperation
World's first medical rescue drone debuts in China
Humanoid robots are lousy co-workers. China wants to be first to change that.
Embarking on AI path with Chinese style
Chinese AI farming bot wins innovation award
BMW launches 360-degree full-chain AI strategy in China
Chinese AI farming bot wins innovation award
AI seen as key to high-quality growth
AI seen as key to high-quality growth
Beijing boosts AI startup Manus, as China looks for the next DeepSeek
Tariffs only accelerate China's self-reliance in high-tech sector
China transforming into innovation powerhouse
Robotic dogs patrols Beijing park
Robotic dogs patrols Beijing park
'AI Plus' discussions add futuristic vibes to political gatherings
China says it will increase support for AI, science and tech innovation
Beijing to host world's first human-robot half-marathon in April
China tells its AI leaders to avoid US travel over security concerns