Apollo, Baidu’s autonomous driving unit, and CAR Inc, a Chinese auto mobility provider, have announced the launch of China’s first autonomous car rental service. The service will begin rolling out in the second quarter of this year. It will allow users to reserve driverless vehicles for flexible travel to cultural landmarks and tourist spots.
The initiative addresses the growing demand for on-demand transport options. It aims to support a wide range of users, including the elderly, international tourists, unlicensed drivers, and individuals with disabilities. The partnership also marks a step toward broader commercial deployment of autonomous vehicle technology in real-world mobility scenarios.
“This strategic partnership between Apollo and CAR Inc represents an in-depth integration of our technological expertise with real-world application scenarios,” said Yunpeng Wang, corporate VP of Baidu and president of the company’s intelligent driving group.
The partners plan to refine the service based on user feedback and expand to more cities over the next three to five years. They also aim to establish industry standards for autonomous rentals, focusing on safety, reliability, and stability.
The service will leverage Apollo’s more than a decade of R&D in autonomous driving and CAR Inc’s national network. It targets a car rental market expected to exceed 300 billion RMB (approximately $41 billion) by 2030.
Recently, Waymo and Toyota also signed a preliminary agreement to explore a potential partnership to develop a new self-driving vehicle platform. To expand in Tokyo, Waymo partnered with Tokyo’s largest taxi operator, Nihon Kotsu, and the ride-hailing service GO.
As for India, in an exclusive interview with AIM, Bengaluru’s JCP (Traffic), MN Anucheth, shared his belief that while self-driving vehicles and Level 5 autonomous cars could theoretically navigate the city’s chaotic roads, their practicality and adoption remain uncertain.
