In December 2019, Wuhan, a city along China’s Yangtze River, became known worldwide as the origin of the coronavirus outbreak. Now, the capital of Hubei province is making headlines for its bold introduction of a robotaxi fleet, causing concern among local taxi drivers about potential job losses. While cities like Beijing and Shenzhen have approached driverless cars cautiously for safety reasons, Wuhan has taken a more aggressive approach, allowing nearly 500 driverless taxis to operate on 35% of the road network.
Despite the small size of the fleet compared to the city’s licensed taxis, the robotaxis have captured national attention, offering a glimpse into how autonomous urban transport could impact traditional transportation systems and employment. Owned by Baidu under the brand name Apollo Go, the largest fleet in Wuhan has attracted curiosity from residents, with some noting the attention they receive while riding in the driverless cars.
These robotaxis, easily identifiable by their rooftop sensors, are operated through apps like Apollo Go or Baidu Maps, offering convenient and competitively priced rides around the city. However, their popularity has raised concerns among traditional taxi operators, who worry about job security in the face of automation.
As the debate around the impact of robotaxis continues, companies like Baidu are looking to expand their autonomous services beyond Wuhan, potentially reshaping urban transportation across China. With the potential for job displacement in the taxi industry, the introduction of driverless cars in cities like Wuhan highlights the ongoing challenges and opportunities presented by advances in technology and automation.