During the Beijing auto show, Xpeng Vice Chairman and Co-President Brian Gu stated that self-driving taxis are not expected to become a significant business for at least five years. This stands in contrast to Elon Musk’s vision for Tesla as a company developing AI software for a robotaxi network.
Gu emphasized that while robotaxis have the potential to transform mobility if they become widespread, it will take more than five years to establish a full-fledged commercial operation. Xpeng, a China-based electric car startup with a presence in Europe, is not currently considering robotaxis in their sales planning.
The company is focused on showcasing its driver-assist software as a key selling point. Gu mentioned that there will be a lot of testing involved in this process, with a particular emphasis on displaying technological advancements and achieving milestones.
In China, tech companies like Baidu and Pony.ai have been granted permission in certain areas to offer fares for fully driverless taxis. These operating areas include a suburb of Beijing and parts of Wuhan, demonstrating the growing interest and progress in autonomous driving technologies in the country.