GAC AION, DiDi Autonomous Driving Collaborate on Official Delivery of Robotaxi R2

Gasgoo Munich- GAC Group announced on January 23 that the R2, a next-generation Robotaxi jointly developed by GAC AION and DiDi Autonomous Driving, was officially delivered at the GAC AION plant. The initial batch has secured road test licenses for intelligent connected vehicles in Guangzhou.

Image source: DiDi Autonomous Driving

The delivered R2 is China's first mass-produced autonomous vehicle designed specifically for commercial operations. It represents a deep integration of GAC AION's manufacturing prowess and DiDi Autonomous Driving's full-stack technological advantages. Positioned for commercial use, the R2 targets unmanned operation, mass production, and commercialization. It achieves advancements in technical configuration, safety assurance, passenger experience, and operational efficiency.

The R2 is equipped with 33 high-precision sensors and the industry's first mass-produced three-domain fusion computing brain. Total computing power exceeds 2,000 TOPS. This boosts core performance while reducing costs by 74%. The vehicle meets dual five-star certification standards in China and Europe. It features a front interaction screen, a 17.3-inch ceiling-mounted display, and intelligent voice control. The rear cabin is optimized for commercial scenarios, and a UV sterilization system ensures hygiene.

Since establishing a joint venture in April 2024, DiDi Autonomous Driving and GAC AION have collaborated on Robotaxi R&D and industrialization. The R2 delivery marks a milestone. It is the first time a Robotaxi model has been industrialized through a joint venture in China. The partnership has entered a substantive phase.

According to the partners' roadmap, the R2 will begin phased demonstration applications in Guangzhou and Beijing starting in 2026. It will serve as a complement to urban smart mobility networks.

GAC and DiDi Autonomous Driving plan to deepen their strategic collaboration. Focus areas include vehicle lifecycle management, scenario expansion, and iterative upgrades of Robotaxi models. The companies aim to drive autonomous driving from technical verification to commercial deployment. This will provide safer and more economical mobility services. It will support the development of China's intelligent connected vehicle industry.