HISTORY: China is way ahead of other countries in allowing robot taxis on the streets.
Autonomous taxis have become a common sight in downtown Wuhan.
Although the company, operated by technology giant Baidu, does not have a human driver, a service assistant is available at all times.
All this makes China a pioneer not only in technology but also in social change.
Taxi drivers who Reuters spoke to but were not allowed to film said the robots had taken over a large share of short-distance trips, putting a strain on their revenue.
Baidu plans to expand to 100 cities by 2030, worrying taxi drivers across the country.
In Beijing, Xun Tianchen of the Economist Intelligence Unit explains that the authorities will monitor developments very closely:
“The government will increase its intervention in the markets, for example by limiting the quotas for robot taxis on the streets. And it will also probably increase its support for the employment of those drivers who are at risk of losing their jobs.”
It is not only the taxi drivers who are worried.
Robots are also taking over driving lessons.
In this driving school near the capital, the automation of lessons began in 2019.
Most students now choose robot teachers and success rates have reportedly increased.
According to manager Zhang Yang, the school already needs fewer teachers:
“There are definitely savings in labor costs. With our current training model, students learn independently of instructors, which also increases students’ ability to learn independently. During training, instructors play a supporting role, while our AI system in the car provides important training and operational instructions. So the instructors support the students in learning. This significantly reduces the proportion of instructors needed.”
In June, China granted nine automakers permission to test advanced driverless systems on public roads.
Last month, it published a draft regulation for their use in public transport and ride-sharing services.
Given the numerous ongoing local test projects, an end to the rise of robots is hardly to be expected.
