Robotics & Automation News

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robotaxis

AutoX builds ‘first’ dedicated robotaxi manufacturing line in China

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AutoX, the autonomous car developer backed by e-commerce colossus Alibaba, has built what is believed to be the first-ever production line specifically designed to build autonomous robotic taxis. (See video below.)

AutoX claims to be “the front-runner in Level 4 fully autonomous robotaxis in China”, but it has relatively strong competition in the form of Apollo, which is backed by another internet giant, Baidu, China’s equivalent of Google.

AutoX has built what it says is “the first dedicated production facility in the country to produce Level 4 fully driverless robotaxis”, as shown in the startling pictures accompanying this article, which AutoX supplied. [Read more…] about AutoX builds ‘first’ dedicated robotaxi manufacturing line in China

AutoX claims it operates ‘China’s largest driverless taxi service area’

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AutoX claims it now operates China’s largest service area for fully driverless RoboTaxis across 65 square miles (168 square kilometers) of Shenzhen, China’s leading tech hub. (See video below.)

AutoX is one of the front runners in Level 4 fully autonomous RoboTaxis in China. Its main competition is Baidu Apollo.

Being able to navigate all the public roads in the Pingshan District in Shenzhen, AutoX has become the first RoboTaxi service to cover an entire district in a Chinese megalopolis. [Read more…] about AutoX claims it operates ‘China’s largest driverless taxi service area’

‘Robotaxis will be disruptive to conventional taxis and ride-hailing, but not car ownership’, says new report

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Robotaxis remain one of the most pursued applications for autonomous vehicle technologies today, with many developers envisioning an end to – or at least a significant reduction in – car ownership.

Developers of autonomous vehicles, specifically those focused on Level-4 self-driving vehicles, often focus on mobility services as the first application.

Not only is there a demonstrated market for taxis and ride-hailing, but it’s a market where the high costs of labor create high prices, making it a ripe opportunity for autonomous vehicle deployment. [Read more…] about ‘Robotaxis will be disruptive to conventional taxis and ride-hailing, but not car ownership’, says new report

AutoX autonomous vehicle navigates through China’s urban villages

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AutoX, a developer of Level 4 fully autonomous RoboTaxis founded by e-commerce giant Alibaba, has released a new video this week showcasing how its fully driverless RoboTaxis handle the challenging rush hour conditions of China’s “urban villages” in what is described as the “ultimate autonomous driving challenge”.

Unique to China, urban villages are ultra high-density residential neighborhoods in major cities, including Shenzhen and Guangzhou, that are typically surrounded by skyscrapers, transportation infrastructure, and other modern urban developments.

The public roads in urban villages are extremely busy, chaotic and overcrowded, especially in the early evening. [Read more…] about AutoX autonomous vehicle navigates through China’s urban villages

AutoX launches new version of its fully driverless system production for ‘RoboTaxis’

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AutoX has launched the production of its latest “Gen5 system for fully driverless RoboTaxis”.

The AutoX Gen5 was launched at the Crowne Plaza Shanghai Anting recently when AutoX founder and CEO, Dr Jianxiong Xiao, unveiled the technology behind the Gen5 system.

The Gen5 system has 50 sensors in total, as well as a vehicle control unit of 2,200 TOPS computing power. [Read more…] about AutoX launches new version of its fully driverless system production for ‘RoboTaxis’

Baidu Apollo to launch fully driverless ride-hailing services in Beijing

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Baidu Apollo will launch fully driverless robotaxi services to the public in Beijing starting from May 2, 2021.

This will be China’s first paid autonomous vehicle service where users can hail a robotaxi without a safety driver behind the steering wheel, marking a landmark step on the road to commercialization of autonomous driving.

The fully driverless Apollo Go Robotaxi service will first be launched in Beijing’s Shougang Park – one of the venues for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics – and will soon be transporting visitors at the games. [Read more…] about Baidu Apollo to launch fully driverless ride-hailing services in Beijing

Honda and AutoX test autonomous cars on public roads in China

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Honda China is collaborating with AutoX on autonomous driving research in China through vehicle testing on public roads. Honda will provide Accord and Inspire vehicles that will utilize AutoX’s autonomous vehicle technology.

AutoX is the frontrunner of Level 4 autonomous driving in China. In this partnership, Honda will adopt and leverage on AutoX’s cutting-edge technology and rich experience in the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles in the most populated cities in China.

Through the test, Honda aims to deepen understanding of China’s traffic environment, establish the public acceptance and safety of autonomous driving technology, as well as to seek new autonomous driving technology solutions. [Read more…] about Honda and AutoX test autonomous cars on public roads in China

Motional and Lyft to launch fully driverless rideshare service

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Motional, a driverless technology developer, and rideshare service provider Lyft have agreed joint plans to launch a multimarket robotaxi service in major US cities, beginning in 2023.

Motional says its next generation, fully driverless vehicles will be integrated, operationalized, and implemented on the Lyft network.

The two companies claim this agreement marks the largest robotaxi partnership for a major ridesharing network. It follows an ongoing and successful three-year partnership, in which Motional and Lyft operate the world’s longest-standing commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas. [Read more…] about Motional and Lyft to launch fully driverless rideshare service

AutoX puts fully driverless RoboTaxis on the roads in China

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AutoX has rolled out fully driverless RoboTaxis on the roads of downtown Shenzhen, marking the first time a completely autonomous fleet without accompanying safety drivers or remote operators is introduced in China.

The leading autonomous driving technology company has been conducting driverless stress tests in the Tier 1 city – which has the highest population density in China – for the past half a year.

A video has also been released to share how the vehicles navigate around downtown Shenzhen. (See video below.) [Read more…] about AutoX puts fully driverless RoboTaxis on the roads in China

AutoX launches driverless taxi service in China

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Driverless car startup AutoX has launched its RoboTaxi ride-hailing service in Shanghai, China to the general public for the first time, marking a transit milestone for China’s largest city.

AutoX RoboTaxis can be booked through Alibaba’s AutoNavi smartphone app, similar to other ride-hailing services.

AutoX, which has raised at least $160 million to date, according to Crunchbase, has also struck up a strategic partnership with Letzgo, a major taxi fleet operations company headquartered in Shanghai. [Read more…] about AutoX launches driverless taxi service in China