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In a groundbreaking move, CAR Inc. and Baidu Apollo have jointly launched the world's first autonomous driving rental service available to the public in China. This innovative service offers a fully autonomous and fully self-service experience, utilising customised Apollo Go robotaxis.
The Apollo Go robotaxi fleet, a key component of this service, includes at least 400 Level 4 autonomous vehicles operating fully autonomously in Wuhan as of mid-2024[1]. These vehicles, which feature 5 lidars and have no steering wheel, are designed to accommodate up to three passengers.
Upon pickup, users verify their identity to unlock the vehicle, which parks at the designated spot. Users can place orders specifying their desired pickup time and location, and the system automatically matches them with the nearest available vehicle. At the end of the journey, the vehicle automatically drives to the user-specified return point.
Pricing remains consistent with CAR Inc.'s existing short-term rental products, offering flexible booking options from 4 hours to 7 days. The sixth-generation Apollo Go vehicle costs 204,600 yuan (28,150 USD), which is 30% lower than Tesla's and only 1/7 of Waymo's operating costs[2].
It is unclear if a driver's license is required for the lessee when renting an autonomous vehicle. The service is built upon Baidu Apollo's L4-level autonomous driving platform, and Mercedes-Benz has also obtained an L4 self-driving car test permit in Beijing.
However, the exact number of Level 4 autonomous vehicles deployed specifically by this joint rental service is not directly stated in the search results[2]. As the service is a recent initiative, it is likely that the vehicles used are part of or an extension of Baidu's existing Apollo Go fleet.
As of the end of July 2024, Baidu's robotaxi fleet had operated 7 million rides[1]. Apollo Go, Baidu's autonomous ride-hailing service platform, has accumulated over 11 million service rides globally.
This collaboration between CAR Inc. and Baidu Apollo marks a significant step towards the integration of autonomous vehicles into everyday life in China.
[1] Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/01/baidu-apollo-go-robotaxi-service-reaches-7-million-rides/ [2] Source: https://www.reuters.com/technology/baidu-car-inc-launch-worlds-first-autonomous-driving-rental-product-2025-07-01/
The autonomous rental service provided by CAR Inc. and Baidu Apollo's fleet, including Level 4 autonomous vehicles, is designed to revolutionize the business landscape of transportation, integrating technology in everyday life in China. The sixth-generation Apollo Go vehicles, priced affordably, will bring autonomous traveling into the realm of finance, offering a cost-effective alternative to competitors like Tesla and Waymo.
