Why 'Stupid Radishes' are causing panic in China
ride-hailing drivers are facing the threat of job loss from artificial intelligence as robotaxis begin to proliferate. Self-driving technology, still experimental, is being aggressively greenlit in China compared to the US, where approvals are often suspended after accidents.
At least 19 Chinese cities are testing robotaxis and robobuses, with seven cities approving tests without human-driver monitors from at least five industry leaders: Apollo Go, Pony.ai, WeRide, AutoX, and SAIC Motor. Apollo Go, a subsidiary of technology giant Baidu, plans to deploy 1,000 robotaxis in Wuhan by year-end and operate in 100 cities by 2030. Pony.ai, backed by Japan's Toyota Motor, operates 300 robotaxis with plans to increase to 1,000 by 2026. WeRide is known for autonomous taxis, vans, buses, and street sweepers, while AutoX, backed by Alibaba Group, operates in cities including Beijing and Shanghai. SAIC Motor has been operating robotaxis since 2021.
In the US, Alphabet's Waymo operates uncrewed robotaxis that collect fares, with over 1,000 cars in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Cruise, backed by General Motors, resumed testing in April after an accident last year.
Despite safety concerns in China, robotaxi fleets are growing under government approval aimed at supporting economic goals. President Xi Jinping's call for «new productive forces» last year spurred regional competition. Beijing began testing in limited areas in June, and Guangzhou announced it would open roads citywide to self-driving trials. Some Chinese
