Baidu

Baidu said on Thursday that its Apollo self-driving Robotaxi will officially start regular commercial operations, and the public can start experiencing the world's first fully self-driving cab service from May 2.

Jidu Auto, the car-making unit of Chinese search engine and AI giant Baidu, plans to expand its team size to 2,500-3,000 people by the end of next year, including 400-500 software engineers.

Jidu Auto CEO Xia Yiping said the company's products are planned in "series" with a new car launched every 1-1.5 years. "Based on such a speed and investment, it is expected to invest 50 billion yuan in the next five years."

Baidu Apollo and Hyundai Kia signed a strategic cooperation agreement on April 19, marking a further step in the former's cooperation with car companies to strengthen its dominant position in the autonomous driving field.

Baidu said on Monday at the Shanghai auto show that its L4 autonomous driving test mileage exceeded 10 million kilometers, making it the first Chinese company to reach such a milestone.

An impressive test ride experience.

Baidu Apollo's technologies for open road experience at the auto show include the WM W6's autonomous parking and ANP, which supports L4 autonomous driving on China's complex urban roads.

Chongqing residents can make reservations through mobile apps like Apollo Go and Baidu Maps so they can experience traveling by self-driving bus.

Siengine Technology, a joint venture between ECARX and ARM China, will start supplying new chip products by the end of next year or early 2023, with TSMC in charge of chip manufacturing.

Luo was the general manager of Uber China's southern region and was responsible for building Uber's Chinese business.