Imagine calling a cab, but instead of a driver pulling up, a sleek, fully autonomous vehicle arrives at your location. No steering wheel. No human behind the wheel. Just pure, futuristic self-driving technology taking you where you need to go.

Well, in China, that future isn’t coming—it’s already here, thanks to Baidu’s fully driverless robotaxis.

What’s the Big Deal?

For years, self-driving cars have been the stuff of sci-fi movies and tech enthusiast dreams. Companies like Tesla, Waymo, and Uber have been battling to make autonomous driving a mainstream reality. But while progress has been made, regulatory hurdles and safety concerns have kept fully driverless taxis out of most cities—until now.

Baidu, China’s tech giant (often called the “Google of China”), has taken the lead in the global autonomous vehicle race. With its Apollo Go service, Baidu has launched fully driverless robotaxis in several Chinese cities, including Beijing, Wuhan, and Chongqing. No safety drivers. No backup controls. Just pure AI and sensors make real-time driving decisions.

How Does It Work?

Baidu’s driverless taxis are powered by the company’s Apollo autonomous driving platform. These vehicles are equipped with high-tech sensors, including LiDAR, cameras, radar, and AI-powered algorithms that process vast amounts of data in real time. The cars can detect pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles with incredible precision, even in complex urban environments.

And let’s be clear: these aren’t experimental prototypes stuck in a testing phase. Baidu’s robotaxis are already transporting real passengers on public roads, proving that the technology is not just a concept—it’s a working reality.

Why China and Not the U.S.?

If you’re wondering why China is ahead in deploying fully driverless taxis, the answer boils down to three things: government support, infrastructure, and public acceptance.

1. Regulatory Green Light – While U.S. regulators have been hesitant to approve fully autonomous vehicles without human drivers, China has actively encouraged the development and deployment of self-driving technology. Baidu has received permits to operate these cars with zero human intervention in multiple cities.
2. Smart City Infrastructure – China has been rapidly building smart cities with infrastructure that supports autonomous vehicles. Many roads are already embedded with sensors and advanced traffic management systems that make it easier for self-driving cars to operate safely.
3. Public Willingness – Unlike in Western countries where trust in self-driving technology is still a work in progress, many Chinese citizens are more open to AI-driven services. The rapid adoption of services like facial recognition payments and AI-powered customer support has made the transition to autonomous taxis feel like a natural step.

What’s It Like to Ride in a Baidu Robotaxi?

So, what’s the experience like for passengers?

Ordering a ride is as simple as using an app, much like Uber or Lyft. When the robotaxi arrives, the passenger scans a QR code to unlock the doors. There’s no driver, no small talk, and no need to tip—just you, the car, and the AI guiding you to your destination.

Inside, the vehicle is designed for comfort and safety. There’s a large screen displaying the ride’s progress, and voice commands allow passengers to interact with the AI assistant. The car follows traffic rules meticulously, stopping for pedestrians, yielding at intersections, and adjusting its speed based on road conditions.

For first-time riders, it can be a surreal experience—especially when the car starts moving without any human input. But after a few minutes, most people find the ride smooth, predictable, and even more cautious than a human driver might be.

Are Robotaxis Safer Than Human Drivers?

Safety is the biggest concern when it comes to self-driving cars. While human drivers rely on experience, instincts, and split-second decision-making, Baidu’s robotaxis processes information from multiple sensors and AI algorithms that can detect dangers far quicker than human reflexes allow.

Statistics show that most car accidents are caused by human error—distraction, fatigue, drunk driving, or reckless behavior. Autonomous vehicles eliminate these risks. However, like any technology, self-driving cars aren’t perfect. There have been rare incidents where autonomous cars struggled with unpredictable human behavior, like jaywalking pedestrians or aggressive drivers.

That said, Baidu has logged millions of autonomous miles, and its track record so far suggests that these vehicles are far safer than traditional cars driven by humans.

Baidu is the world’s largest robotaxi service provider

In addition to Wuhan, Apollo Go currently provides commercialized autonomous ride-hailing services in cities including Beijing,  Shenzhen and Chongqing. Apollo Go’s service in Chongqing and Wuhan features driverless commercial operation with no driver or safety operator in the car, making the company the first in China to operate fully driverless robotaxis in multiple cities. By the end of the third quarter of this year, the cumulative order volume of Apollo Go exceeded 1.4 million, ranking Baidu as the world’s largest robotaxi service provider.

“Backed by the company’s solid foundation in AI, Baidu provides a safe, intelligent and efficient autonomous driving technology system, from fully driverless operation to large-scale commercial operation,” said Wang Chong, Chief Brand Officer of Baidu Intelligent Driving Group. “The generalization ability of Baidu’s autonomous driving technology has progressed at a more advanced pace than expected. Now, the lead time to deploy autonomous driving technology in a new city is only 20 days.”

The Impact on Jobs and the Economy

One of the biggest questions surrounding autonomous taxis is their impact on jobs. With driverless cars on the rise, what happens to millions of taxi and rideshare drivers worldwide?

While automation does pose a challenge to traditional driving jobs, it also creates new opportunities. Engineers, AI specialists, and fleet maintenance workers will be in high demand. Moreover, autonomous taxis could make transportation cheaper and more accessible, benefiting society as a whole.

There’s also the broader economic impact. If fully driverless taxis become mainstream, cities might rethink their infrastructure, reducing the need for parking spaces and increasing efficiency in urban planning. Ride-hailing costs could drop, making commuting more affordable and convenient.

The Road Ahead

Baidu’s success with fully driverless robotaxis is a glimpse into the future of transportation. As more cities embrace autonomous driving, we could see a dramatic shift in how people get around—one where cars are no longer personally owned but rather a shared, AI-driven service.

However, challenges remain. Autonomous driving regulations vary from country to country, and winning public trust will take time. Tech companies will need to prove beyond doubt that robotaxis are safer, more reliable, and more efficient than human-driven cars.

Final Thoughts

Baidu’s fully driverless robotaxis marks a major milestone in the self-driving revolution. While many companies are still testing the waters, Baidu has jumped in headfirst, deploying real autonomous taxis in real cities with real passengers. It’s an exciting step forward, and it signals that the future of transportation isn’t decades away—it’s happening right now.

So, would you ride in a fully driverless taxi? Or does the idea of an AI-driven car still make you a bit nervous? One thing’s for sure: whether we’re ready or not, autonomous vehicles are here to stay.

About Baidu

Founded in 2000, Baidu’s mission is to make the complicated world simpler through technology. Baidu is a leading AI company with a strong Internet foundation, trading on the NASDAQ under “BIDU” and HKEX under “9888.” One Baidu ADS represents eight Class A ordinary shares.