China’s adoption of autonomous taxis has surged, with driverless cabs becoming a common sight in several large cities, while Europe remains far behind in this development. Chinese robotaxi providers offer competitive pricing, significantly undercutting the already low-cost taxi market, which has raised concerns among gig workers in precarious jobs. However, while the technology is advancing, the performance of these autonomous vehicles remains inconsistent, with occasional erratic driving patterns. In contrast, Europe’s regulatory environment and consumer skepticism have slowed the progress of autonomous driving.
In Beijing’s Yizhuang district, passengers can order driverless taxis for as little as 11 yuan (US$1.50) for an 8-kilometer ride. These autonomous vehicles, although equipped with sensors and onboard computers capable of navigating complex traffic, have been known to make abrupt maneuvers, such as braking unexpectedly when faced with potential hazards. Despite such issues, autonomous taxis are becoming a fixture in over 30 cities in China, especially in large metropolitan areas where public acceptance is higher.
Notably, Wuhan has launched fully autonomous taxis from Apollo Go, backed by tech giant Baidu, which operate without any human supervision. Passengers summon the vehicles via mobile apps, and all interactions, from unlocking the car to starting the journey, are done digitally. Beijing, however, still requires a human attendant to be present in the driver’s seat for emergencies, underscoring the limitations of the technology in its current state.
Chinese taxi drivers, like Mr. Li and Hao, have expressed mixed reactions to the rise of robotaxis. While some fear job displacement, others, like Hao, believe the driverless taxis are too slow and lack the flexibility that human drivers offer. He notes that Beijing’s fast-paced environment demands adaptability that autonomous vehicles cannot yet match, particularly when it comes to taking shortcuts or adjusting routes for passengers.
In Europe, particularly in Germany, autonomous driving is progressing much more slowly. Strict legal frameworks and higher safety standards are key factors. There is also greater consumer reluctance toward adopting this technology. Companies like Volkswagen, in partnership with Mobileye, have been testing autonomous electric buses in cities like Munich and Hamburg, but widespread deployment remains a distant prospect. Experts, including Philipp Kupferschmidt from Accenture, foresee a gradual rollout, with vehicles likely to operate under close human supervision for the foreseeable future.
While major European automakers, including BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagen, are incorporating partial automation features like automatic parking, full autonomy, known as level 5, is still a long way off. Analysts believe that China’s large-scale testing of robotaxis gives the country a significant edge, though challenges such as system maturity and cost efficiency still need to be addressed.
Featured Image courtesy of MIT Technology Review
Follow us for more updates on China’s robotaxis.