Robotaxis without drivers: Beijing & Wuhan in the autonomous race

Robotaxis How Beijing and Wuhan compete in autonomous driving

2025-02-01 From Henrik Bork | Translated by AI 3 min Reading Time

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For the first time, Beijing permits robotaxis with empty driver’s seats on city highways. Meanwhile, Wuhan is expanding opportunities for fleet operators, determined not to cede its leadership in autonomous driving to the capital.

Self-driving cab in Beijing's city traffic. The Chinese capital has opened up more streets to driverless vehicles, known as robotaxis.(Image: Pony.ai) — Self-driving cab in Beijing's city traffic. The Chinese capital has opened up more streets to driverless vehicles, known as robotaxis.
(Image: Pony.ai)

Robot cabs with an empty driver's seat are now allowed to drive on city highways in the Beijing area. The company Pony.ai announced on 14 January that it had received an extended test license for several busy routes.

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Date: 08.12.2025

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