Baidu unveils next-generation robotic axi to be deployed across China – sure naira

Baidu, the Chinese search engine giant that has invested in AI and autonomous vehicle technology, unveiled on Wednesday a new all-electric robotic axi that it plans to deploy widely across China.

Baidu will add the Apollo RT6 EV, a cross between an SUV and a minivan with a detachable steering wheel, to its Apollo Go ride service next year. The new battery-electric robotic axi is Baidu’s sixth-generation autonomous vehicle and the first model built on its Xinghe self-driving platform. The automaker said developing the battery-electric architecture in-house has reduced manufacturing costs to a manageable $37,000 per unit.

Baidu said recent advances in manufacturing have reduced production costs, eventually allowing it to build and operate tens of thousands of robotic axes on a large scale in Chinese megacities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen next year.

“This massive cost savings allows us to deploy tens of thousands of AVs across China,” said Robin Li, CEO and co-founder of Baidu, at the Baidu World 2022 technology conference. the cost will be of taking a taxi today.”

Apollo RT6

The RT6 seats two to four passengers. A detachable steering wheel adds room for “seats, vending machines, desktops or game consoles,” according to the company. The sunroof extends the full length of the car to allow natural light into the cabin.

The Apollo RT6 comes with L4 autonomous driving with 38 sensors – including a dozen cameras and eight LiDAR – for navigating complex street scenes.

Baidu has not disclosed how many miles it can travel on a fully charged battery.

The company also said on Wednesday that it has started charging fees in Beijing for driverless rides in its fifth-generation robot axle. This move will allow Baidu to commercialize its robotaxi business, which it aims to expand outside of China to 65 cities by 2025 and 100 cities by 2030.

This story has been updated to clarify the timetable for the rollout of the RT6 across China.