China launches first robotaxis in Beijing

Baidu has launched a fully autonomous robotaxi service in Beijing that allows users to hail driverless vehicles without a safety driver behind the wheel.

The Baidu service will initially only operate in Beijing's Shougang Park, an area that will be used for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

To summon the new fully autonomous vehicles, users are required to download an app that locates a nearby robotaxi.

Once it has arrived, users must scan a QR code and a health code on the side of the car to help the car identify the user and meet pandemic protocols.

Once inside, the user presses a 'start the journey' button. The car then checks seat belts are fastened and all doors are properly closed before setting off.

Inside, instead of a physical safety driver, a remote operator can take control of the vehicle in an emergency.

Introduced to transport visitors to the Olympic site's arenas, offices, shops and hotels, Baidu says its service will also serve as transport for athletes from around the world.

Commenting on China's first fleet of unmanned robotaxis, Baidu's vice-president for driverless tech Yunpeng Wang said: "Today, we are opening the fully driverless robotaxi services in Beijing for the public, which we achieved only after conducting countless scalable driverless tests in many cities over a long period of time.

“Introducing unmanned services is an indispensable stage for the commercialisation of autonomous driving.”