GAC AION, DiDi move Robotaxi closer to scale with first delivery of R2 fleet

Gasgoo Munich- On January 23, GAC AION and DiDi Autonomous Driving officially delivered the first batch of their next-generation Robotaxi, the R2, at GAC AION's manufacturing facility.

Image source: DiDi Autonomous Driving

The initial vehicles have already secured road testing permits for intelligent connected vehicles in Guangzhou, clearing a key regulatory hurdle for on-road deployment.

Positioned as China's first mass-produced, factory-installed autonomous vehicle designed specifically for commercial use, the R2 combines GAC AION's vehicle engineering and manufacturing capabilities with DiDi's full-stack autonomous driving technology. According to the partners, the model was developed with commercial operations as its central focus, targeting three priorities—full autonomy, scalable mass production, and real-world commercialization—while advancing performance across technology integration, safety, passenger experience, and operational efficiency.

Image source: DiDi Autonomous Driving

From a technical standpoint, the R2 is equipped with 33 high-precision sensors and features what the companies describe as the industry's first mass-produced, three-domain integrated computing architecture. With total computing power exceeding 2,000 TOPS, the system delivers a significant performance uplift while cutting costs by 74% compared with previous solutions. On safety, the vehicle meets both Chinese and European five-star safety standards, establishing a robust foundation for autonomous operations. Inside the cabin, the R2 is tailored for commercial service, featuring an external interaction display at the front, a 17.3-inch roof-mounted entertainment screen, and voice-based vehicle controls. Rear-seat space has been reconfigured for ride-hailing scenarios, and an ultraviolet disinfection system is included as standard to address hygiene requirements.

Since forming a joint venture in April 2024, GAC AION and DiDi Autonomous Driving have steadily advanced both technology development and industrial deployment in the Robotaxi space. The delivery of the R2 represents one of the first tangible outcomes of a joint-venture model between an autonomous driving company and an automaker in China, signaling that the partnership has moved beyond development into concrete commercialization.

Under the current roadmap, the R2 is expected to begin phased pilot operations in cities including Guangzhou and Beijing in 2026, where it could serve as a complementary component of urban smart mobility systems.

Looking ahead, the two companies plan to deepen their strategic collaboration across the full vehicle lifecycle, broaden application scenarios, and accelerate iterative upgrades of Robotaxi models. By working in tandem, GAC and DiDi aim to push autonomous driving beyond technical validation toward scalable, scenario-based commercial use—offering safer, more affordable, and more comfortable mobility services while supporting the high-quality growth of China's intelligent connected vehicle industry.