Self-driving

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.

WeRide announced Thursday its entry into the self-driving freight sector with the launch of WeRide Robovan, which the company calls China's first L4 self-driving van.

This is the first local equity financing in China's ride-hailing industry in 2021, and is an ice-breaker after the crackdown on Didi Chuxing.

The program proposes that the goal is for self-driving bus routes to have a safety accident rate that is less than 90 percent of that of traditional buses.

Alibaba became the majority shareholder with a 19.68 percent stake, the information shows.

Traditional Chinese car companies are stepping up efforts to catch up with new car makers, including Xpeng Motors and Nio, in self-driving technology.

Two days after self-driving company AutoX demonstrated its ability to navigate chaotic, dense roads during rush hours, its local counterpart WeRide also showed off its muscles, and in heavy rain.

Alibaba-backed Chinese autonomous driving company AutoX became the latest to demonstrate its capabilities on chaotic, dense roads during rush hours in a video Monday.

While eyes are focused on the self-driving capabilities of the new car makers, some technology providers are helping other car companies gain equal access to such capabilities.

That includes 75,000 smart new energy vehicles and 118,000 smart fuel vehicles.