Gasgoo Munich-Cao Cao Mobility, in partnership with Geely and other collaborators, has rolled out the first engineering prototype of China’s first purpose-built Robotaxi. This milestone marks the project's transition from initial R&D to production-level verification, laying the engineering foundation for future mass production and commercial operations.
Image Credit: Cao Cao Mobility
Unlike retrofitted existing models, this vehicle was defined from the start for driverless operation. The engineering team designed the architecture from the ground up, systematically planning for cabin space, ride experience, operational efficiency, safety systems, and lifecycle maintenance costs.
Named Eva Cab, this custom model is slated for mass production in 2027. It will serve as the core model for Cao Cao’s Robotaxi fleet, supporting the expansion of its autonomous mobility business.
The partners utilized their respective strengths. Geely relied on its mature vehicle development and manufacturing systems to handle engineering and production, while Cao Cao integrated years of large-scale operational experience into the product definition and operational setup. By addressing the practical needs of Robotaxi fleets, the partners ensured the vehicle design fits real-world mobility scenarios.
Industry experts point out that a purpose-built approach allows Robotaxis to adapt to driverless needs at the architectural level—providing an advantage over retrofits in sensor layout, space utilization, and operational economics. The successful rollout of this prototype not only validates the partners' joint development model but also provides a reference for the engineering implementation of Robotaxis in China.
