Beijing’s Self-Driving Taxis: The Future of City Travel

Beijing is making big progress in autonomous vehicle technology, aiming to change the way we travel in cities. According to the Beijing Innovation Center for Intelligent Mobility, more than 30 road sections, covering at least 100 kilometers, are set aside for testing self-driving cars. This effort is part of a bigger plan to make driverless technology a part of daily life, with some services already up and running.

The Rise of Driverless Taxis

In Beijing, you can now use a driverless taxi service, offering a glimpse of the future of city transportation. With a smartphone app, you can easily hail these autonomous taxis, which represent a modern and convenient way to get around. CGTN recently showcased the service, highlighting how safe and smooth the rides are. These taxis use a Level 4 autonomous driving system and operate mainly in controlled areas like industrial parks to ensure they are safe and reliable.

A recent CGTN demonstration showed how simple it is to use the service. You enter a security code from your phone and choose your destination, and the car arrives, verifies your ID, and starts the ride. The trip is comfortable and safe, with the vehicle traveling at about 41 kilometers per hour and handling traffic signals and stops effectively.

Testing and Expansion

Baidu, a top technology company, is leading the way in autonomous driving. China Daily reports that Baidu has received Beijing’s first license to test fully driverless cars on public roads without a safety operator. These tests are happening in a 20-square-kilometer area in Yizhuang, a suburb of Beijing, where they recreate real urban driving scenarios. Additionally, Baidu’s Apollo Go Robotaxi service has already started offering commercial driverless taxi rides in the city.

Safety and Public Perception

One big advantage of autonomous vehicles is their constant focus on the road, which can make driving safer and reduce accidents. However, people have mixed feelings about driverless cars, with some worried about their safety. To address these concerns, there is extensive testing to make sure these vehicles can handle different road conditions and situations safely.

Future Prospects

Beijing’s autonomous driving initiative is set to grow a lot in the coming years. Plans are in place to expand driverless taxi services to 65 cities by 2025 and 100 cities by 2030. The Beijing E-Town area, where Baidu and Pony.ai test their technologies, will eventually cover 500 square kilometers for both commercial and passenger transport. Through these efforts, Beijing is setting itself up as a global leader in driverless technology, offering safer and more efficient transportation solutions for the future.

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