Baidu, the "Google of the East," is launching autonomous driving. Here are the secrets of the Apollo RT6 robotaxi.

MILAN – Chinese giant Baidu , often called the "Google of the East," is entering the autonomous mobility segment with the Apollo RT6 , an electric vehicle designed for robotaxi service. The company has always focused on artificial intelligence-based solutions, with autonomous driving at the heart of its development strategy and new business model.

An ally in the city

The Apollo RT6 's primary feature is that it's a fully autonomous electric vehicle, designed to meet the needs of those navigating the complexities of urban traffic. Ready for mass production, it costs 250,000 yuan ( around 32,000 euros) and marks a turning point in the spread of robotaxis.

According to forecasts by Baidu CEO Robin Li , the significant cost reduction—about one-tenth of that of a current self-driving car—will open up robotaxis to a much wider audience. Therefore, in the future, the cost of a robotaxi ride will be up to half that of a traditional chauffeur-driven taxi. This is also thanks to advanced technology, which aims to make a key service for metropolitan areas more affordable.

Nothing to envy a driver

According to the company's tests, the Apollo RT6 achieves a level of intelligence and expertise comparable to that of an experienced pilot with 20 years of experience. The system guarantees high safety standards and advanced reliability. In this area too, China maintains its advantage over other countries, thanks primarily to strong government support for the development of autonomous driving.

In addition to the above, China's regulatory framework is rapidly evolving to facilitate the adoption of autonomous driving. In this regard, the regulation on intelligent and connected vehicles came into force in July, and as early as November 2024, the city of Beijing launched a pilot project to test commercial transport services with autonomous vehicles. The tug-of-war between China and the United States

Beijing and Guangzhou are the two cities transforming the Chinese market into one of the most advanced for autonomous driving. In addition to aiming to surpass the United States in this sector, where Tesla has long been involved, China's goal is to solve and deploy autonomous vehicles in high-traffic metropolises. It must be said that the Chinese domestic market is receptive, with strong domestic demand for everything related to new technologies.

Conquering Europe

The Chinese company has identified Zurich as its first port of call for its European expansion. In a recent interview with the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Baidu stated its intention to collaborate with local partners, offering its technology services. The Wall Street Journal also added a possible partnership with PostBus, although no confirmation has been received from the manufacturer's headquarters. Finally, starting in the new year, the company's vehicles will operate with a driver on board to ensure safety. This is just the first step.