Baidu’s Robotaxi Service Surpasses 1.1M Rides, Expands Reach

Baidu Inc.’s autonomous driving service achieved a major milestone in the fourth quarter of 2024, recording 1.1 million paid robotaxi rides. This represents a 36% increase compared to the same period in 2023, highlighting the company’s rapid growth in self-driving technology. As the demand for autonomous transportation grows, robotaxi plans driving into Hong Kong’s AV future continue to shape the region’s mobility landscape.

Full Transition to Driverless Operations

According to The Future Fund Managing Partner Gary Black, Baidu’s robotaxi service has now fully transitioned to 100% driverless operations, eliminating the need for remote operators. The company has also completed a total of 9 million cumulative rides, showcasing the scalability of its self-driving platform.

Entry into Hong Kong’s Right-Hand Drive Market

In November, Baidu became the first operator authorized to test autonomous vehicles in Hong Kong. This move is significant as it marks the company’s first experience in a right-hand drive, left-hand traffic market, proving the adaptability of its Apollo Go platform. CEO Robin Li emphasized that Baidu has spent a decade developing autonomous driving technology capable of handling China’s complex urban environments.

Competition and Business Strategy

Baidu is positioning itself as a strong competitor against Tesla and Alphabet’s Waymo in the autonomous vehicle industry. The company utilizes its sixth-generation RT6 autonomous vehicle, designed specifically for robotaxi services. Rather than relying on heavy infrastructure investment, Baidu is pursuing an asset-light strategy by partnering with local mobility service providers to expand efficiently.

Financial Performance and AI Cloud Growth

Despite a slight 2% year-over-year decline in overall revenue, Baidu reported $4.68 billion in revenue for the fourth quarter, surpassing analyst expectations. The company’s AI Cloud business demonstrated strong performance, growing by 26% during the period.