The robot (taxi) revolution is under way! Are you in?!
Indeed… a new self-driving taxi service has just launched in China. It’s known as the AutoX RoboTaxi, and it’s already in operation throughout Shanghai.
The new “robo-taxis” are the result of a partnership between Alibaba (using their Amap platform) and AutoX, an autonomous driving technology company headquartered in San Jose, California.
While the concept of self-driving cars has been in development for a while – with experiments coming from Google, Uber, Waymo and more – it’s the first time autonomous cars have become available in China.
That’s not the only unique thing about this new launch, though. Not only is this the first ride-sharing platform to use self-driving vehicles in China, it’s also the first time a self-driving taxi will be allowed to reach the maximum 50 mph non-highway speed. Yeah… these aren’t just driverless cars, they’re FAST driverless cars!
So, how do you get one of these RoboTaxis?
First off: you need to live in Shanghai. The RoboTaxis are currently in a public beta there, and right now it’s the only place you’ll find them.
Hailing a RoboTaxi is actually pretty simple – in fact, it’s comparable to any other ride hailing service. You simply book it through the Amap app, and within minutes, the RoboTaxi will appear.
Users can choose between humans and RoboTaxis, or they can choose both – meaning they’ll get the nearest one available.
You can also freely choose your starting and ending destination, unlike some other self-driving programs – which limit you to fixed trips.
The program launched with a beta test in early April, and they plan to have 100 RoboTaxis on the streets by the time the test ends.
So what do you think? Would you trust a self-driving taxi? How about one that goes over 50 mph? Be sure to leave a comment and let us know!
Learn more on the AutoX website.
Albert Seguin says
Yes I would ride a self driving taxi but not going as fast as 50mph !! I like the idea of being able to choose with one available.
Marie DiCowden says
Love ❤️ It!
Steve says
Hope you love it might kill you!
Uber AI killed a woman it’s a computer!
Rodney says
This just another Technocratic step to utter control, once somethinh ELSE decides where you can and cannot go, then you have lost your freedom..
I for one would not and WILL NOT use any robotic device..
CT (Tom) Spines says
I don’t have a strong feeling either for or against automation but it is coming and no way to stop this train. Firstly, with Cloud + 5G, The Interstate Freight haulers will automate to Driverless; displacing 2,000,000 drivers over the next 10 yrs at an average wage earned at ~$100,000 annually………$.2tn annually…. gone forever from the pockets of hard working families. Different implications from the “UBER displacements” where the drivers mostly changed “hats” and the big losers were the speculators in NYC Taxi Medallions. Change Jobs, Retrain, etc & etc I sense will not work on dollar numbers of this magnitude. I do not have an answer but hopefully my college graduate grandchildren will.
Steve says
It’s going to kill my job!
I been a Uber and Lyft drive for 6 years it’s going to take jobs away from people it’s sad and you love it the Uber AI killed a woman how do you know these things could do the same thing!
adam says
WHY do we need it?????????
Greg says
If the robotaxis prove safe I would use them especially if they are safer than human drivers. There will need to be some kind of retraining provided either by government or companies that replace there human drivers. Since I live in New Zealand it might be some time before I see anything like that here. I don’t know of any company here that is doing or will do robotaxis.