Baidu begins commercial fully driverless robotaxi service in Shanghai
Baidu's permit for fully driverless robotaxis in downtown Shanghai marks a new era for urban autonomous mobility.
July 28, 2025

In a landmark move for the autonomous vehicle industry, Chinese technology giant Baidu has secured a permit to operate its Apollo Go fully driverless robotaxi service in Shanghai's Pudong New Area.[1] The approval, announced during the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, allows for the commercial operation of robotaxis without a human safety driver in a major downtown area of one of China's most dynamic cities for the first time.[1] This development represents a significant leap from testing to commercialization, underscoring the accelerating pace of autonomous vehicle deployment in China and setting a new precedent for the integration of artificial intelligence into urban transportation networks.
The permit granted to Baidu is a culmination of a carefully orchestrated municipal strategy by Shanghai to position itself as a global leader in autonomous driving. The city has been systematically expanding its infrastructure to support this technology, with the Pudong New Area now boasting nearly 1,000 kilometers of roads open for autonomous vehicle testing.[2] These designated zones encompass key business and residential areas, providing a complex and realistic environment for companies to validate their systems.[2] Further cementing its commitment, Shanghai's government has unveiled an ambitious action plan aiming to achieve over 6 million passenger trips in Level 4 autonomous vehicles by 2027 and to open more than 5,000 kilometers of roads for testing.[3] This proactive regulatory support is creating a fertile ground for the autonomous vehicle industry to flourish, attracting major players and fostering innovation.
While Baidu's achievement is significant, it operates within a highly competitive landscape. Other major players, including Pony.ai and WeRide, have also been granted permits to operate fully driverless services in Shanghai.[4][5] Pony.ai recently became the first company to be authorized for fully driverless robotaxi services in all of China's tier-one cities—Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.[4] Similarly, WeRide has launched its own Level 4 robotaxi service in Pudong.[5] This competitive dynamic is a clear indicator of the maturity of the autonomous driving sector in China, where multiple companies have developed sophisticated technologies capable of navigating complex urban environments. The simultaneous approvals suggest a strategic effort by local authorities to stimulate competition and accelerate the overall development and public adoption of autonomous mobility solutions.
This permit in Shanghai is a cornerstone of Baidu's aggressive expansion strategy, both domestically and internationally. The Apollo Go service has already accumulated a wealth of experience, having delivered over 11 million rides with a global fleet exceeding 1,000 vehicles.[6][1] The company operates in numerous Chinese cities, with particularly large-scale operations in Wuhan, which serves as a major hub for its fully driverless services.[7] Looking beyond its home market, Baidu is actively exploring opportunities in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, often pursuing an asset-light model through partnerships with local operators to navigate new markets effectively.[8][9][10][11] A critical enabler of this expansion is the reduction in hardware costs; Baidu's sixth-generation robotaxi, the RT6, has a manufacturing cost of under $30,000, making large-scale deployment more economically feasible.[11]
As driverless technology becomes more prevalent, regulatory frameworks are evolving to address the complex safety and ethical considerations. The Chinese government has taken a proactive stance in this regard. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has introduced stricter rules governing the testing and marketing of autonomous features, while the Ministry of Science and Technology has issued ethical guidelines that prioritize human safety and demand transparency in the underlying algorithms.[12][13] These measures are designed to build public trust and ensure that the rollout of autonomous vehicles is conducted responsibly. For companies like Baidu, navigating this evolving regulatory landscape and demonstrating a steadfast commitment to safety will be paramount to their long-term success and the ultimate realization of a driverless future. The successful integration of robotaxis into the urban fabric will depend not only on technological prowess but also on establishing a foundation of trust and safety with the public.