Autonomous Driving: The Race of the Robotaxis: China vs. the USA

Beijing, Chandler The seat behind the wheel is empty when the robotaxi pulls up at the bus stop in southern Beijing. Two passengers sit in the back seat. With a touch of a finger on the screen behind the driver’s seat, they confirm the desired route. The e-car blinks and fits seamlessly into regular traffic.

For the approximately 300,000 residents of the Yizhuang district, also known as “E-Town”, the more than 300 white robotic taxis with the distinctive structure in which cameras, radar and laser sensors are stowed are already part of the streetscape. On 60 square kilometers, in the so-called Beijing High-Level Automated Driving Demonstration Area (BJHAD), tech companies like Baidu are testing commercial operation in regular road traffic. The offer is popular because the ride only costs a few cents, making it significantly cheaper than a normal taxi.