AutoX’s RoboTaxi Service Officially Opens to Public in Shanghai

Autonomous driving startup AutoX announced early this morning that its RoboTaxi ride-hailing service is now open to the general public for the first time since the company began rolling out a fleet of 100 RoboTaxis in late April to the streets of Shanghai, using Alibaba‘s AutoNavi navigation app.

According to the press release letter, users can book AutoX RoboTaxis through Alibaba’s AutoNavi smartphone app, also referred to as Amap or Gaode, one of the most frequently used navigation apps in China.

In addition to the public launch, AutoX has also entered into a strategic partnership with Letzgo, a Shanghai-based taxi fleet operations company, to operate its “AutoX Driver” platform through Letzgo’s smartphone app, the company said in the letter.

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With the operation of more than 16,000 vehicles in over 18 cities across China, Letzgo will have its staff trained to operate RoboTaxis at AutoX’s Shanghai Operations Center, which opened in April this year, AutoX said.

Rides can be hailed in Shanghai’s Jiading District, where AutoX reached an agreement with the municipal authorities to allow the operation of 100 RoboTaxis.

Following the successful test program in Shanghai, AutoX is currently testing autonomous vehicles in Shenzhen, Wuhan, Wuhu and other cities, with the ultimate goal of expanding RoboTaxi services around China in the coming months, according to the letter.