Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Super cheap robotaxi rides spark widespread anxiety in China
China is the world’s biggest car and EV market. This year, over 11
million fully electric and Plug-in Hybrid vehicles are estimated to be sold, about
two million more than the previous year. Electric vehicles are suitable for taxis
as they usually drive within the cities they are registered. After each shift,
they come back to the designated spot for charging and a driver change. Also, EVs
are ideal for autonomous driving because they are controlled electronically. As
the prices of some EVs in China are becoming more affordable, driverless taxis
have become popular in some major cities like Wuhan, where the local government
is supportive of the new technology and convenience in the hope of becoming the
world’s first driverless city. And if there is no human driver, the running cost
is lower than human-driven taxis. Though it might be just an introductory
promotional price, robotaxis in Wunan can now be riden at a quarter of the price
of the human-driven taxis. Driving might be one area where AI robots could technically
and economically replace human labor. In the future when no driver’s seat is
required, robo-taxis and robo-rideshares may become more popular in some
markets.
Read the article and learn about the impact and economy of China's robotaxis.
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