Baidu's self-driving business unit Apollo launched its robotaxi service in Shanghai on September 12, expanding the service's coverage to five cities in China.
Users who download the "Luobo Kuaipao" app will be able to experience the self-driving service from 9:30 to 23:00 daily.
Baidu Apollo's self-driving routes in Shanghai will cover 150 test stations in phases, covering residential, commercial, office, and public transportation routes, according to the company.
The service was previously available in Beijing, Changsha, Cangzhou, and Guangzhou, and the company aims to bring it to 30 cities and serve 3 million users in the next three years.
On August 18, Baidu gave the service an official name - "Luobo Kuaipao" - saying it is based on Apollo's experience in the past two years of operation and will provide commercial operations and diversified value-added services to the public, accelerating the era of unmanned travel.
As of August 2021, the service has already covered more than 14 million kilometers of self-driving road tests.
Baidu began its involvement in autonomous driving technology eight years ago and was one of the first companies in China to enter this field.
Apollo's Robotaxi had opened a commercial trial in Beijing's Shougang Park in May, serving 1,500 passengers in four days.
In Shanghai, Baidu had put Apollo Park into operation at the end of July to facilitate the company's efforts to increase its coverage of autonomous driving operations in the city.
This Apollo Park is located in Shanghai International Automobile City - the first national pilot demonstration zone for intelligent networked vehicles - and covers an area of nearly 10,000 square meters.
Baidu Apollo will expand its self-driving operation vehicles here by more than 200 units, making it the largest self-driving fleet in East China, the company previously said.
Baidu Apollo launches self-driving routes in Beijing's Tongzhou District
(Photo source: Baidu)
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