Baidu’s supercheap robotaxis should scare the hell out of the US
SMRTR summary
Baidu's Apollo Go launched its sixth-generation RT6 robotaxi across multiple Chinese cities. This Level 4 autonomous vehicle costs under $30,000 per unit, undercutting competitors. Apollo Go provided 988,000 rides in Q3 2024, a 20% year-over-year increase, with cumulative rides reaching 8 million in October. Base fares start at 55 cents, compared to $2.48 for human-driven taxis. This cost-effectiveness could give Baidu an advantage in making robotaxi businesses profitable, potentially reshaping autonomous transportation.
SMRTR provides this summary for quick context. The original article belongs to The Verge.
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