Driverless taxis gain traction in Wuhan amid controversy and competition

Baidu’s driverless taxi service, Apollo Go, has quickly become popular in Wuhan, China, since its launch in August 2022, despite complaints from locals and taxi drivers. The service, operated by Baidu’s autonomous driving unit, has amassed a fleet of over 500 vehicles in the city of 13.7 million people. However, its success has prompted local taxi drivers to petition the municipal transport authority to restrict its use, citing job losses and declining income.

In a letter sent in late June, Wuhan Jianshe Automotive Passenger Transportation, a local taxi operator, reported that four of its 159 taxis had quit since April due to competition from the robotaxis. The company accused the autonomous vehicles of taking jobs away from grassroots drivers. Baidu did not respond to a request for comment, but the company mentioned in May that it had reported misinformation about Apollo Go on social media to the police, resulting in the arrest of more than ten suspects.

Despite years of financial losses, Baidu’s autonomous driving project is now aiming for profitability. Wang Yunpeng, head of Baidu’s Intelligent Driving Group, expressed confidence in an internal letter in April. The company plans to expand Apollo Go’s fleet in Wuhan to 1,000 vehicles and aims to break even locally by the end of the year, according to Chen Zhuo, general manager of Baidu’s self-driving unit.