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Baidu Launches China's First 24/7 Robotaxi Service

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Baidu's Apollo Go autonomous ride-hailing service platform expands to offer 24/7 autonomous driving services in Wuhan, China, marking a significant operational milestone. The company has achieved various operational milestones, including launching fully driverless rides across challenging landscapes and offering driverless airport transportation services.
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The initiation of 24/7 operations by Baidu's Apollo Go signifies a strategic move to saturate the autonomous ride-hailing market and solidify its position as a market leader. The extension of service hours is likely to attract a new customer segment, particularly those with nighttime travel requirements, potentially increasing user adoption rates. The impact on Baidu's stock could be positive as investors may view this development as an indication of Baidu's operational capabilities and growth potential in the autonomous vehicle sector.

Furthermore, Baidu's milestones, such as the fully driverless service across the Yangtze River and the airport robotaxi service, demonstrate a competitive edge in technical prowess. This could lead to increased investor confidence and possibly attract partnerships or investments from companies seeking to leverage Baidu's autonomous driving technology.

Baidu's expansion into 24/7 autonomous driving services with Apollo Go reflects significant advancements in autonomous vehicle technology. The ability to navigate complex environments such as the Yangtze River bridges and provide airport transportation services underlines the technical sophistication and reliability of Baidu's autonomous systems. This level of technical achievement is crucial as it sets a precedent for the industry and could accelerate regulatory approval processes for autonomous vehicles globally.

For stakeholders, these developments suggest that Baidu is overcoming some of the most significant challenges in autonomous driving, such as varied terrain and low-light conditions. This could lead to broader applications of Baidu's technology in other markets and environments, presenting long-term growth opportunities for the company.

The announcement of Baidu's Apollo Go service operating 24/7 is a key indicator of the company's operational efficiency and scaling capabilities. This move can be expected to contribute to revenue growth, as it maximizes asset utilization by ensuring that the fleet is in service for the maximum number of hours. The financial implications for Baidu include not only increased revenue potential but also the demonstration of cost-effective operations, as autonomous services can potentially reduce labor costs associated with human drivers.

Investors should monitor Baidu's quarterly financials closely to assess the impact of these operational expansions on the company's bottom line. The key metrics to watch would be the growth in user base, changes in operational costs and any shifts in regulatory environment that could either bolster or hinder Baidu's market expansion efforts.

  • The start of round-the-clock operations comes as the third major operational expansion of Baidu's robotaxi service in 2024.
  • In Feb 2024, Baidu was approved for robotaxi pilot operation on highways to Beijing Daxing Airport, making Beijing the world's first capital city to launch airport robotaxi service. In the same month, Baidu also launched fully driverless service across the Yangtze River in Wuhan, demonstrating its technical sophistication in navigating challenging geographic landscapes.

BEIJING, March 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU and HKEX: 9888) ("Baidu" or the "Company"), a leading AI company with strong internet foundation, proudly announced a significant operation upgrade for Apollo Go, its autonomous ride-hailing service platform. Apollo Go is now offering 24/7 autonomous driving service in selected areas of Wuhan, becoming China's first provider to offer such service.

This expansion to round-the-clock operations represents a significant milestone for Apollo Go, providing non-stop autonomous driving services for a wider range of needs and potential users. The extended service hours accommodate users with nighttime travel needs, ensuring a safer and more convenient service.

An Apollo Go user on a nighttime ride in a fully driverless vehicle

This 24/7 service expansion is just one of several operational milestones Baidu has achieved in China. On February 27, 2024, Apollo Go launched fully driverless rides across the challenging landscape of the Yangtze River, covering both the north and south banks across the Yangsigang Yangtze River Bridge and Wuhan Baishazhou Bridge. Previously, in August 2023, Baidu introduced driverless airport transportation services in Wuhan, establishing itself as China's pioneer in providing autonomous rides to and from airports, seamlessly connecting urban roads and highways. On February 23, 2024, Apollo Go unveiled a similar service in Beijing, as Baidu was approved for robotaxi pilot operation on highways to Beijing Daxing Airport.

Wuhan is one of the world's leading cities in implementing intelligent transportation. By the end of 2023, the total test mileage run by autonomous vehicles in the city has exceeded 3,378.73 kilometers, covering an area of about 3,000 square kilometers and a population of over 7.7 million. Apollo Go currently operates a total of 300 fully driverless vehicles in Wuhan.

In honor of International Women's Day, Baidu's Apollo Go has introduced a special campaign offering female users up to two orders for priority service during late-night hours (from 23:00 to 6:00 the next morning) coupled with intelligent in-car voice service. Apollo Go's user-first operation ethos has earned strong customer trust, winning an impressive 97.12% five-star reviews on the app.

Apollo Go has provided over 5 million cumulative rides as of January 2024. Today, Baidu and Apollo Go are actively working to bring fully autonomous ride hailing services to an even wider range of locations and users. Apollo Go currently offers robotaxi services in over 10 cities in China, standing out as the first company to provide fully driverless robotaxi service in cities including Beijing, Wuhan, Shenzhen, and Chongqing.

About Baidu

Founded in 2000, Baidu's mission is to make the complicated world simpler through technology. Baidu is a leading AI company with strong Internet foundation, trading on the NASDAQ under "BIDU" and HKEX under "9888." One Baidu ADS represents eight Class A ordinary shares.

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Intlcomm@baidu.com 

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SOURCE Baidu, Inc.

FAQ

What is the latest operational expansion of Baidu's robotaxi service in 2024?

Baidu's robotaxi service is now offering 24/7 autonomous driving services in selected areas of Wuhan.

When was Baidu approved for robotaxi pilot operation on highways to Beijing Daxing Airport?

Baidu was approved for robotaxi pilot operation on highways to Beijing Daxing Airport in February 2024.

What are some of the key milestones achieved by Baidu with Apollo Go?

Baidu has achieved milestones such as launching fully driverless rides across challenging landscapes and providing driverless airport transportation services.

Which city became the world's first capital city to launch airport robotaxi service?

Beijing became the world's first capital city to launch airport robotaxi service.

How has Baidu demonstrated its technical sophistication in navigating challenging geographic landscapes?

Baidu demonstrated its technical sophistication by launching fully driverless service across the Yangtze River in Wuhan.

What is the significance of Baidu's expansion to round-the-clock operations for Apollo Go?

The expansion provides non-stop autonomous driving services for a wider range of needs and users, accommodating nighttime travel needs.

What milestone did Baidu achieve in August 2023 in Wuhan?

Baidu introduced driverless airport transportation services in Wuhan in August 2023.

What is the total test mileage run by autonomous vehicles in Wuhan by the end of 2023?

The total test mileage run by autonomous vehicles in Wuhan exceeded 3,378.73 kilometers by the end of 2023.

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