China Issues First-Ever Permit For Fully Driverless Robotaxis On Its Roads

Late last month, Chinese technology giant Baidu unveiled the Apollo RT6, its next-generation fully autonomous vehicle that not only came with the company’s self-developed automotive program, but a quirky detachable steering wheel. 

The firm had said that while the car was navigating roads, passengers could choose to remove the steering wheel for more space in the vehicle, with the option of customizing the vehicle’s interior with extra seating or even an entertainment system for longer roadtrips.

Now, Baidu has officially received permission to run its fully driverless robotaxi service, possibly making it the first company to be granted the permit in the country.

While the cars previously had to operate with a human in the driver or front passenger seat, it can now cruise around with only passengers. 

According to CNBC, the permits will allow 10 Apollo Go vehicles to pick up passengers in designated zones within Wuhan and Chongqing, though only during the daytime. 

The service zone will span 13 square kilometers (five square miles) in Wuhan’s Economic & Technological Development Zone (WHDZ), and 30 sq km (11.5 sq m) in Chongqing’s Yongchuan District. 

As per Engadget, the nation’s foremost search engine said it has equipped the robotaxis with necessary safety measures, including monitoring redundancy, remote driving capabilities, and a safety operation system. 

Could Baidu eventually rival the likes of the United States’ Waymo and Cruise? Possibly. 

[via CNBC and Engadget, cover image via Baidu / PR Newswire]