Experiencing Robotaxis firsthand
I still vividly remember the day I hailed a robotaxi in Yizhuang, a southern suburb of Beijing. With just a few taps on my mobile phone, I input the pickup and drop-off points and the number of passengers. A few minutes later, a self-driving taxi approached, with no driver or safety operator sitting in. The vehicle ran smoothly, with no shaking or sudden braking. It could identify stop signs and traffic lights; the car automatically slowed down and finally came to a halt. As I observed the vehicle’s behavior, I realized that there was no difference between it and cars with human drivers. The robotaxi was operating safely and efficiently, much like a traditional taxi. This was not the first time I had experienced self-driving vehicles. About four years ago, I took a robotaxi with a safety operator sitting behind the steering wheel to monitor the vehicle and take manual control in case of an emergency.
The Rapid Growth of Robotaxis in China
Driverless vehicles have developed rapidly in recent years and have become a reality in China, although their operations are still limited to some designated areas of major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Wuhan, Hubei province, and Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Guangdong province. According to a report by Pacific Securities, the market scale of robotaxis in China is expected to exceed 1.18 trillion yuan ($161.3 billion) in 2025 and 2.93 trillion yuan in 2030, making it one of the largest application scenarios for autonomous driving technology.
Government Support and Regulations
Local government support is critical for promoting the commercial operation of self-driving vehicles. Currently, over 50 cities nationwide have released autonomous driving pilot demonstration policies and stepped up efforts to expand the application scenarios of self-driving technology. Beijing launched China’s first pilot area for commercial autonomous driving vehicle services. Chinese tech giant Baidu and self-driving startup Pony.ai were the first enterprises granted permission to offer paid services. In December 2024, the city approved new regulations for autonomous vehicles. The regulations, which took effect on April 1, encourage and support policies and measures for technological innovation and industrial development of autonomous vehicles.
Benefits of Robotaxis
Autonomous driving vehicles, particularly robotaxis, are poised to revolutionize transportation by significantly improving driving safety, said Robin Li, co-founder and CEO of Baidu at the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. “We have proven that robotaxis are much safer than human drivers. As of today, they are at least 10 times safer,” Li said. “If you look at our operational record, our insurance claims rate is only one-fourteenth that of regular taxis or a regular driver’s car.”
The Beijing-based company has invested heavily in developing self-driving technology. Apollo Go, its robotaxi service, is currently operational across 11 cities nationwide.
Future Outlook and Challenges
Continuous testing and operation on public roads, easing regulations as well as cost reductions in autonomous vehicle manufacturing will help accelerate the deployment and commercialization of self-driving cars, said Lyu Jinghong, an intelligent mobility analyst at research firm BloombergNEF. According to the 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. However, ensuring the safety and stability of robotaxis should be a top priority. Experts emphasized that more efforts are required to enhance self-driving testing and application scenarios, continuously optimize algorithms, reduce manufacturing costs of driverless vehicle components, and strengthen the construction of intelligent transportation infrastructure.
| Country | Number of Self-Driving Vehicles |
|---|---|
| China | 12 million |
| United States | 7 million |
“The autonomous driving industry is expected to revolutionize the transportation sector. Autonomous vehicles have the potential to reduce accidents, traffic congestion, and air pollution. As the industry continues to grow, it’s essential to prioritize safety and invest in research and development to ensure a smooth and efficient transition to autonomous transportation.”
Key Points to Remember:
- Robotaxis are becoming increasingly popular in China, with a growing market size expected to exceed 1.18 trillion yuan ($161.3 billion) in 2025 and 2.93 trillion yuan in 2030.
- Government support and regulations are critical for promoting the commercial operation of self-driving vehicles.
- Autonomous driving vehicles, particularly robotaxis, are poised to revolutionize transportation by significantly improving driving safety.
- Ensuring the safety and stability of robotaxis should be a top priority, with efforts required to enhance self-driving testing and application scenarios.
Conclusion
As I reflect on my experiences with robotaxis, I realize that driverless vehicles have the potential to transform the transportation sector in China. With continued investment and innovation, it’s possible to create a safer and more efficient transportation system. The future of transportation is looking bright, and it’s exciting to think about the possibilities that autonomous vehicles can bring.
