Autonomous Electric Vehicles with Robotaxis to be Launched by Didi and GAC in China
In a significant move towards the future of transportation, Didi Global and Guangzhou Automobile Group's electric vehicle unit, Andi Technology, have announced plans to mass produce robotaxis next year.
Andi Technology, a joint venture established by Didi and GAC Aion New Energy Automobile, will be at the forefront of this initiative. The company, led by Meng Xing as general manager and chief operating officer of Didi's autonomous driving unit, aims to supply about 10,000 vehicles for Didi's ride-hailing service.
The autonomous driving technology used in these robotaxis will be developed by Didi, ensuring a seamless integration of self-driving capabilities. The vehicles will be based on GAC's all-electric sport utility vehicles (SUVs), with GAC Aion, the group company behind GAC's Aion brand of EVs, providing the platform.
Meng Xing stated that Didi is working to accelerate the large-scale commercial deployment of autonomous driving. Meanwhile, Zhang Xiong, chairman of Andi and deputy general manager of GAC Aion, aims to cut costs associated with Level 4 autonomous vehicles through mass production.
It's worth noting that the exact name of the car planned for mass production in 2025 has not been explicitly mentioned. However, the authorities have granted Andi Technology a business license, indicating a green light for this ambitious project.
This partnership marks a new chapter in Didi's journey, following the sale of its EV business to Chinese EV maker Xpeng Motors in 2023. With the robotaxis capable of Level 4 autonomy, which denotes full self-driving under certain conditions, it's an exciting step towards a future where autonomous vehicles become a common sight on our roads.
The article, first published on Nikkei Asia, is a part of 36Kr's ongoing partnership with Nikkei. The partnership between Didi and GAC Aion was not mentioned in the earlier bullet points, but it's clear that this collaboration promises to bring about significant advancements in the field of autonomous driving technology.
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