Lotus and CaoCao Unveil Autonomous Taxi Platform in China

Lotus Robotics, a subsidiary of Lotus specializing in autonomous driving technology, has partnered with ride-hailing company CaoCao Mobility to introduce an advanced robotaxi platform in China. The system, currently undergoing trials in Suzhou and Hangzhou, integrates a custom-designed vehicle with full autonomy and automated operations.

The companies claim this marks China’s first comprehensive autonomous taxi service, offering a fully unmanned ride-hailing experience. Similar initiatives have emerged across China, such as Pony.ai's robotaxi service in Guangzhou's city center, reflecting the country's growing investment in autonomous urban mobility. During initial testing, the Lotus Robotics autonomous fleet completed 13,545 kilometers without human intervention, demonstrating the reliability of the technology.

Advancing Self-Driving Capabilities in the Taxi Industry

The collaboration focuses on improving vehicle intelligence and road-cloud connectivity to address urban challenges such as unexpected pedestrian crossings. The system incorporates key technological advancements, including:

• ROBO Soul: A full-stack self-driving software
• ROBO Galaxy: Cloud-based data management
• ROBO Matrix: A real-time safety monitoring system

Lotus Robotics’ technology achieves Level 4 autonomy, enabling vehicles to navigate complex city environments without a driver under specific conditions.

Expansion Plans and Industry Impact

Following the trials in China, the company is exploring international expansion. A collaboration with Aramco Digital aims to introduce robotaxis in the Middle East, with a global rollout expected in late 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.

A spokesperson from Lotus Robotics stated:

"We are committed to revolutionizing urban mobility with safe and intelligent autonomous solutions."

CaoCao Mobility, which operates in 57 Chinese cities and serves over seven million users, sees this partnership as a step towards integrating self-driving technology into everyday taxi services, reducing operational costs and enhancing urban transport efficiency.