In a significant leap forward for autonomous driving technology, Baidu Apollo unveiled its 6th Generation Robotaxi in Wuhan, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of smart mobility. The announcement was made by Yunpeng Wang, Baidu’s Corporate Vice President and President of Intelligent Driving Group.
Key highlights of the launch include a substantial reduction in unit cost, now priced at approximately RMB 200,000 (under $30,000), marking a more than 50% decrease from the previous generation. These cost savings pave the way for large-scale deployment, with Apollo Go aiming to deploy 1000 6th Gen Robotaxis in Wuhan by 2024.
Operating on Apollo Go, Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing platform, these vehicles signify a paradigm shift towards fully autonomous transportation. The development is bolstered by Apollo Go’s fully autonomous Robotaxi operation network in Wuhan, capable of managing every aspect of the Robotaxi operation without human intervention. This innovation not only enhances efficiency but also significantly reduces operational costs.
The introduction of Apollo ADFM, the world’s first foundation model supporting Level 4 autonomous driving, further solidifies Baidu Apollo’s position at the forefront of autonomous technology. Integrated into the 6th Gen Robotaxi, this model enables the rapid deployment of driverless operations in new cities within six months, paving the way for widespread adoption.
Moreover, the upgraded Apollo Self-Driving (ASD) intelligent driving software, based on Apollo ADFM, will be accessible on all Ji Yue vehicle models, allowing users nationwide to experience intelligent driving wherever Baidu Maps is available.
In terms of safety and market adoption, Apollo Go’s service area in Wuhan now spans over 3,000 square kilometers, serving 7.7 million people, and has provided over six million rides nationwide. Notably, Apollo Go has achieved a remarkable milestone of traveling over 100 million kilometers without any major accidents as of April 2024, reassuring users with RMB 5 million insurance coverage per Robotaxi.
With these advancements, Baidu Apollo is not only reshaping the landscape of autonomous transportation but also paving the way for a safer, more efficient future of mobility.
