China: Robotaxis are worrying ride-hailing drivers, spark public safety concerns, but fleets proliferate as authorities approve testing to support economic goals
"Everyone will go hungry,” one taxi driver said of Wuhan drivers competing against robotaxis from Apollo Go, a subsidiary of Chinese technology giant Baidu.
Ride-hailing and taxi drivers are among the first workers globally to face the threat of job loss from artificial intelligence as thousands of robotaxis hit Chinese streets, economists and industry experts said.
Self-driving technology remains experimental, but China has moved aggressively to green-light trials compared with the U.S, which is quick to launch investigations and suspend approvals after accidents.
Just a few weeks ago, the robotaxi revolution was causing public concerns in China with the issue blowing up on social media after an Apollo Go vehicle ran into a pedestrian in Wuhan. Footage of the incident spread online has sparked a wide debate about the issues created by robotaxis — especially the threat the technology poses to ride-hailing and taxi drivers.
Authorities in Wuhan have felt the need back then to respond to the “rumors” about problems caused by robotaxis. The city’s transportation bureau told domestic media that the local taxi industry is “relatively stable” and that Apollo Go only operates 400 robotaxis in the city, rather than 1,000 as many have claimed online.
Despite the safety concerns, fleets proliferate in China as authorities approve testing to support economic goals. Last year, President Xi Jinping called for “new productive forces,” setting off regional competition.