China: Beijing has allowed Robotaxi to operate in an area of 60 sq km on the condition that safety drivers are present in them. He will be present in the passenger seat so that the taxi can be controlled in case of an emergency.
Along the lines of America, China is also moving forward rapidly. In January, the California Public Utilities Commission approved driverless taxis on select streets in San Francisco from January. But China has given permission to run Robotaxi in Chongqing along with Wuhan. Chinese company Baidu has been given a license for driverless taxis in both cities. Now, these taxis will be seen running on the open roads of these cities.
Wei Dong, Chief Safety Operation Officer of Baidu, says that this is a unique achievement. It is a lot like stepping on the moon for the first time. He told Reuters that he could not explain the importance of the license to the company. This order will be effective from Monday. This will be the first time that robotic taxis will be seen running on the roads without safety drivers. He says that in Wuhan this facility will be available from 9 am to 5 pm while in Chongqing from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm.
However, Beijing has allowed Robotaxi to operate in an area of 60 sq km, subject to the condition that safety drivers will be present them. He will be present in the passenger seat so that the taxi can be controlled in case of an emergency. In Wuhan, 13, and in Chongqing, these robots will be seen running within a radius of 30 square kilometers.
These taxis have become the center of tourist attraction in the area and people are coming close to the taxis and taking pictures. Passengers can book the journey of Robotaxi through an app named ‘Apollo Go’. They will have to verify their identity upon arrival of the taxi.
The taxi will run only when it is detected. Currently, passengers can board and disembark these taxis at eight stops in the Shougang Park area of western Beijing. They have a craze in three. People say that they are considering buying such a car.
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