Startup launches pilot self-driving taxi service in Shanghai

Autonomous driving startup AutoX has launched a pilot self-driving taxi service to Shanghai residents with China's major map and navigation company AutoNavi, or Gaode in Chinese, from Apr 27 to May 10.

People need to sign up for the pilot program on AutoNavi's mobile app Amap before Wednesday, and those who received confirmation can experience the free self-driving service in Shanghai's Jiading district from May 8 to 10.

Hailing a self-driving taxi will be the same as hailing a regular taxi. Just put the destination in the app, select AutoX as service provider, and the company's self-driving car RoboTaxi will come pick up the passenger, said AutoNavi.

The car will be autonomous, but a safety employee will sit in the car in case of an emergency in the current stage according to government regulation, said AutoX.

Founded in Silicon Valley in 2016, AutoX has partnered with many Chinese companies, including automakers Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation and BYD as well as logistics company ZTO Express to tap into the self-driving market in China.

It also received $100 million in A round financing from Alibaba Group.

The company has built a Shanghai RoboTaxi Operations Center in Jiading district and launched 100 RoboTaxis in the city in 2019.

Lyu Siyao contributed to the story.