DiDi's Next-Gen R2 Robotaxi Starts Driverless Rides in China

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DiDi’s Next-Gen R2 Robotaxi Starts Driverless Rides in China

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DiDi Autonomous Driving has begun fully driverless service trials of its next-generation R2 robotaxi, co-developed with GAC Aion, in parts of Beijing and Guangzhou, bookable on the DiDi app. The factory-built car carries 33 sensors and a central computer with over 2,000 TOPS that DiDi says costs 74 percent less than its previous generation.

DiDi handles about 40 million rides a day in China, and almost every one has a human at the wheel.

Now, in parts of Beijing and Guangzhou, the same app can send you a car with nobody in the driver’s seat.

It’s the R2, DiDi’s next-gen robotaxi, and its fully driverless service trials started on August 31.

DiDi built it with carmaker GAC Aion as a robotaxi from day one, with the self-driving kit fitted right on the production line.

It carries 33 sensors. Lidar, cameras, 4D radar, infrared cameras, even sensors that pick up sound.

They all feed one central computer with over 2,000 TOPS of AI compute, and DiDi says it costs 74 percent less than its last generation.

Braking, steering, power and communications all have backups.

Inside, there’s a 17.3-inch ceiling screen and a voice assistant that checks your PIN and handles the climate, windows and lighting.

DiDi is catching up to Baidu’s Apollo Go, which says it’s already in 28 cities.

24 days ago

Transportation

DiDi's Next-Gen R2 Robotaxi Starts Driverless Rides in China

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