Turning heads as they cruise past office buildings and malls, driverless taxis are slowly spreading through Chinese cities, prompting both wariness and wonder.
China's tech companies and automakers have poured billions of euro (approximately billions of dollars)into self-driving technology, aiming to catch up with industry leaders such as Google’s Waymo and other US tech giants.
The city of Wuhan stands out as it boasts one of the world's largest networks of self-driving taxis, featuring over 500 vehicles available via app, mirroring the structure of regular ride-hailing services.
At one busy intersection, onlookers might spot multiple robotaxis effortlessly passing one another, fully integrating themselves with the normal flow of traffic.
A local resident named Yang remarked, "It looks kind of magical, like a sci-fi movie," reflecting the awe many residents feel.
Yet, not everyone shares this sense of wonder.
The topic of safety has sparked heated discussions following a tragic incident earlier this year when a Huawei-backed vehicle was involved in a fatal accident due to its supposed malfunctioning braking system.
Concerns were once again ignited after another minor collision between one of Wuhan’s robotaxis and a jaywalker last month.
Taxi drivers and traditional ride-hailing operators have voiced fears about potentially losing their jobs to artificial intelligence, even though experts agree the technology is still not fully developed.
Wuhan's driverless taxis are part of Baidu's Apollo Go project, which was granted licenses to operate within the city’s limits back in 2022.
Initially, Apollo Go started with just five vehicles operating within 13 square kilometers of Wuhan, a sprawling city of about 14 million people.
Fast forward to now, Baidu states its taxis cover over 3,000 square kilometers, comprising more than one-third of Wuhan's total land area, including parts of the busy city center.
For context, the largest operational area for Waymo, the leader in the US, is significantly smaller at 816 square kilometers located within Arizona.
When passengers summon their ride, they simply scan QR codes on their smartphones, allowing entry to the vehicle, though the front seats remain blocked off—just one precaution taken for safety.
Surprisingly, the fares for the self-driving taxis are heavily subsidized; for example, during a recent report, a 30-minute trip cost the equivalent of about €5, markedly lower than the fare for traditional taxis.
Wuhan taxi driver Deng Haibing expressed frustration, stating, "They are stealing our rice bowls, so of course we don't like them," using the common Chinese expression for livelihood.
Deng worries robotaxi companies will eventually undermine traditional drivers through these low fares, reminiscent of how early ride-hailing apps disrupted taxi markets during the 2010s.
Currently, he mentioned, the threat isn’t too concerning as the robotaxi fleet only makes up a tiny fraction of the city’s tens of thousands of taxi and ride-hailing vehicles.
Nevertheless, more and more cities across China are adopting initiatives to promote self-driving services.
While many observers remain intrigued, there’s also a palpable anxiety about the road ahead, especially concerning job security and safety standards.
Industry insiders reveal the technology still has caveats—mainly its sensitivity to sudden changes like pedestrians suddenly crossing the road or unexpected construction zones.
Authorities are not only concerned about how quickly this technology will integrate but also about ensuring public safety throughout the adoption process.
Rising backlash from affected workers coupled with recent accidents draws attention to the urgent need for safety protocols before self-driving vehicles rule the streets.
While Wuhan's scenario might seem futuristic, it heralds upcoming debates about the balance between technological advancement and societal concerns.
Experts stress it's imperative to create sensible regulations as the integration of robotaxis continues to grow.
With the rapid advancements over the last few years and the investments pouring in, it begs the question: Will this technological push benefit everyone, or will it lead to unforeseen ramifications?
Regardless of the verdict, the evolution of public transport across China could be heading for monumental shifts.
The balance between innovation and caution will be key as cities like Wuhan lead the charge toward this brave new world of robotics on the roads.
