Baidu, the leading AI company in China, has made a groundbreaking move in the world of autonomous driving by launching driverless airport transportation services in Wuhan. This marks a significant milestone as Baidu becomes the first-ever provider of autonomous rides to and from airports in China.
As the world’s largest autonomous driving ride-hailing service provider, Baidu has been at the forefront of innovation in this field. The company has successfully connected urban roads and highways with its autonomous ride-hailing services, allowing passengers to seamlessly travel between different locations. With the launch of driverless airport transportation in Wuhan, Baidu is expanding its service to cover the crucial connection between urban areas and airports.
Currently, the service is available to selected users by invitation, but it will be open to the general public in September. This development is a major step forward in pioneering driverless airport transportation in China. It also expands the operational area for Baidu’s robotaxi fleet, making autonomous ride-hailing services more accessible to the public.
Wuhan Tianhe Airport has been chosen as the first location for Baidu’s driverless airport transportation service due to its significant number of daily passengers. As one of eight major regional hub airports in China, Tianhe Airport has transported 125,000 international regional passengers this year alone, making it a prime location for Baidu’s expansion. The airport’s flight scheduling capacity has also increased, solidifying its position as a leader in the central region.
Following the expansion to Wuhan Tianhe Airport, Baidu plans to continue expanding its presence in Wuhan, with future plans to bring autonomous ride-hailing services to key areas such as the city’s business districts, international conference centers, and the Jiangbei area.
Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing service, known as Apollo, has already gained significant traction. With over 3.3 million cumulative orders as of now, Baidu has seen a 149% year-over-year increase in rides provided during the second quarter of this year alone. The company aims to promote the widespread application of fully autonomous vehicles and has successfully conducted fully autonomous driving commercial operations and testing in multiple cities throughout China.
Baidu, founded in 2000, is driven by its mission to simplify the complicated world through technology. The company is a leading AI company with a strong internet foundation and is traded on the NASDAQ under BIDU and HKEX under 9888.
Baidu’s entry into the driverless airport transportation market in China is a significant milestone and highlights the company’s commitment to revolutionizing the way we travel. As Baidu continues to expand its autonomous ride-hailing services, passengers can look forward to a future where driverless transportation is the norm.
