China: Didi, owner of 99, will launch autonomous taxi by 2025 – 04/13/2023 – Tech

China’s transport-by-app giant Didi Global, owner of 99 in Brazil, said this Thursday (13) that it is working with Chinese automakers to develop its own robot taxis. The company intends to make the service available by 2025, unveiling a concept with robotic arms called “Didi Neuron”.

The company said it is collaborating with several new energy automakers in the Asian country on the development of the vehicles.

“The expectation is that they can enter Didi’s network and provide services by 2025,” Didi Autonomous Driving Chief Operating Officer Meng Xing said at a live-streamed company event.

“We expect that they will be produced domestically, that the supply chain will be manageable and that up to 90% of key components in-house can be produced domestically,” he added.

The company also unveiled a concept car called the “Didi Neuron” with robotic arms that can help passengers pick up luggage.

The blue and white vehicle did not have a driver’s seat, maximizing space for passengers.

Didi also announced a lidar sensor and automotive computing device at the event, which showcased the company’s most significant developments towards achieving its goal of autonomous driving in a few years. The company is looking to make progress after nearly two years of regulatory issues.

The company began developing and testing autonomous vehicles in 2016, and its unit has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in investment from companies including IDG Capital and Guotai Junan.

Didi allows users in some parts of Shanghai and the southern city of Guangzhou to hail self-driving cars through its main app.

Swedish automaker Volvo, owned by Geely, supplies the autonomous fleet.