Beijing expects pilot operation of fully-unmanned Robotaxi service to begin in H1 2023

Beijing (Gasgoo)- Beijing High-level Automated Driving Demonstration Area Office (BJHAD Office) disclosed that commercial pilot operation of fully-unmanned vehicles will be implemented in the BJHAD in the first half of 2023, according to a post by Beijing Yizhuang on Thursday.  

Photo credit: Pony.ai

Currently, BJHAD’s autonomous driving demonstration has entered a stage where Baidu and Pony.ai have put 20 Robotaxis (10 each) into unmanned testing from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the 20 square kilometer area. Unlike before, the front and rear rows of these test vehicles are fully empty, meaning that there is no longer a safety operator onboard of the Robotaxi, realizing the true "fully unmanned” experience.

The BJHAD Office said that the passenger-carrying operation of unmanned vehicles requires enterprises to meet the corresponding indicators in both vehicle testing and commercialization pilot operation, including test distance, safety operation requirements, regional coverage, access efficiency, safety emergency plans, etc. Based on the current testing situation of Baidu and Pony.ai, the unmanned commercialization pilot operation will commence in the first half of this year.

Moreover, the BJHAD plans to step up its regulation in the autonomous driving field, entering the 3.0 development stage. Built on the experience, policies, standards, and coverage, the BJHAD proposes to expand its demonstration area by another 100 square kilometers this year.