Baidu Launches Robotaxi in Changsha

Robotaxi, a fleet of 45 autonomous cars created by Baidu and FAW Group Corporation (FAW), started operation in certain areas of Changsha, the capital city of Hunan province.

Citizens can apply on Baidu’s self-driving platform Apollo’s website to be the first group of users.

SEE ALSO: Baidu Apollo Showcases Self-Driving and IoV Products at CES Asia 2018

Baidu and FAW jointly redesigned the installation plan of Robotaxi’s autopilot kit and the vehicle’s structure to make it suitable for self-driving, Baidu autonomous driving manager Tao Ji said.

Covering 70 square kilometers and 135 kilometers of road, the test areas have the most complicated roads with the most advanced cooperative vehicle-infrastructure systems, according to Baidu.

The fleet is expected to cover 50 kilometers by the end of this year and expand to the entire testing area by the first half of 2020.

The first group of autonomous driving vehicles arrived in Changsha in August 2. Currently, each Robotaxi will be equipped with a safety supervisor to ensure passengers’ safety.

The cars used are the Chinese luxury car marque Hongqi EV, the first L4 level autonomous driving cars in mass production.