Robotaxi Rides Abound in China, but Navigating the Experience Takes Effort

Experts share tips for taking driverless taxi trips in Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Wuhan.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 4:31am by Ben Kaplan

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Automotive and AI professionals Bryant Walker Smith, Sven Beiker, Yandeng Long, and Xiang Li share their experiences and advice for taking robotaxi rides in China, where companies like Baidu Apollo, Pony.ai, and WeRide are expanding driverless services across major cities. The authors discuss the apps to use, the best cities to visit, and the unique challenges of being a "robotaxi tourist" in a country where the technology is advancing rapidly but still has limitations.

Why it matters

China is a global leader in the development and deployment of autonomous vehicle technology, with major companies like Baidu, Pony.ai, and WeRide operating robotaxi services in cities across the country. Understanding the state of this technology in China and the practical considerations for using it as a visitor can provide insights into the future of transportation and mobility worldwide.

The details

The authors have collectively spent decades working on automated driving technology in industry and academia, and have taken numerous robotaxi rides in China. They explain that while China's major robotaxi providers offer services in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, the experiences can be quite variable. Robotaxi services are often confined to specific pilot zones, require Chinese phone numbers and apps to access, and may have limitations like requiring safety drivers or not being available during certain times. The authors provide tips on using the right apps, navigating the service areas, and making the most of robotaxi rides as a visitor to China.

  • Baidu, Pony.ai, and WeRide are currently operating robotaxi services in various Chinese cities.
  • The authors have been studying and experiencing Chinese robotaxi technology for over three decades.

The players

Baidu Apollo

The automated driving unit of Chinese tech giant Baidu, often compared to Alphabet's Waymo.

Pony.ai

A startup developing robotaxi services in both China and the United States.

WeRide

A Chinese startup operating robotaxis as well as automated shuttles in specific routes.

Bryant Walker Smith

A professor at the University of South Carolina and a visiting professor at Renmin University of China who studies the law and policy of AI and automated driving.

Sven Beiker

The managing director of Silicon Valley Mobility, who teaches strategies for the automotive industry at Stanford University and AI in corporate operations at the University of Borås in Sweden.

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What they’re saying

“Perhaps you'll marvel as your robotaxi skillfully navigates streets filled not just with cars but with bikes going every which way. Or you might sit sheepishly as it tries to turn itself around in a crowded intersection.”

— Bryant Walker Smith, Sven Beiker, Yandeng Long, and Xiang Li, Automotive and AI professionals (businessinsider.com)

“Whereas Waymo's robotaxis can pick you up almost anywhere in San Francisco or Phoenix, you'll need to go find the robotaxis in Chinese cities. Services are generally confined to pilot zones covering only portions of each city, and an individual robotaxi company might provide truly driverless service in only part of a given pilot zone.”

— Bryant Walker Smith, Sven Beiker, Yandeng Long, and Xiang Li, Automotive and AI professionals (businessinsider.com)

What’s next

The authors suggest that as China continues to loosen travel restrictions, the experience of being a "robotaxi tourist" in the country will likely become more accessible and streamlined for visitors.

The takeaway

China's rapid advancement in autonomous vehicle technology provides a unique opportunity for curious travelers to experience the future of transportation, but navigating the robotaxi landscape requires careful planning and flexibility as the services continue to evolve.