Apollo Go and Waymo Drive Forward: AI-Powered Autonomous Ride-Hailing Services Scale Up
Autonomous driving technology is rapidly advancing, making urban mobility safer, more efficient, and sustainable. Companies like Waymo and Baidu's Apollo Go are at the forefront of this transformation, showcasing their capabilities in multiple cities. Waymo has successfully launched commercial operations in the U.S., while Apollo Go leads in China's autonomous mobility sector. These companies are driving the global development of AI-driven mobility services. As autonomous driving technology scales up, efficiency becomes crucial, with innovations like Apollo Go's RT6 vehicle contributing to high-efficiency deployment. With significant investments pouring into autonomous mobility, the integration of AI-driven transportation into urban infrastructure is accelerating.
Autonomous Driving Advancements in Urban Mobility
Beijing, China, March 18, 2025 -- As artificial intelligence reshapes global industries, the transportation sector is undergoing a profound transformation. Autonomous driving technology is accelerating towards large-scale deployment, with leading companies showcasing their capabilities across multiple cities.
Waymo's Impact in the U.S.
Waymo, a pioneer in the global autonomous driving industry, has successfully launched commercial operations in four major U.S. cities, providing approximately 150,000 rides per week and demonstrating strong scalability. To further strengthen its leadership in the U.S. autonomous driving sector, Waymo plans to conduct tests in more than 10 new cities, with Las Vegas and San Diego set to be the first deployment locations.
Baidu's Success in China
Meanwhile, Baidu's autonomous Ride-Hailing service, Apollo Go, has established itself as the leader in China's autonomous mobility sector. By February 2025, Apollo Go's autonomous ride-hailing service have achieved fully driverless operations across China, eliminating the need for safety drivers on board.
According to Baidu's latest data, Apollo Go completed 1.1 million rides in Q4 2024, averaging approximately 12,000 rides per day, ranking among the largest commercial autonomous ride-hailing service providers globally.
Efficiency in Autonomous Operations
When autonomous driving reaches a scale of tens of thousands of rides per day, efficient operations become essential. The RT6 is one of Apollo Go's key enablers for high-efficiency deployment. This fully autonomous vehicle is equipped with advanced battery-swapping technology, allowing each car to recharge in under four minutes.
The global deployment of autonomous mobility is attracting significant investments from both the public and private sectors. According to the Hong Kong Transport Department, Apollo Go successfully obtained Hong Kong's first batch of autonomous vehicle pilot licenses in 2024, marking its first attempt in right-hand drive, left-hand traffic regions.
Future Collaborations and Initiatives
This year, Waymo has announced a partnership with Japan's Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo's largest taxi company, and GO to introduce autonomous vehicles in Tokyo, with the first fleet set to arrive by 2025. At the World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai, Baidu Co-founder and CEO Robin Li highlighted the long-term benefits of AI in transportation.
Enhancing Passenger Experience
As cities worldwide accelerate the integration of autonomous driving technology into their infrastructure, autonomous mobility is becoming a key investment focus. To meet the demand for safe and comfortable rides, companies like Apollo Go and Waymo are equipping their vehicles with interactive voice control, massage seats, and remote climate adjustment features.
Companies like Apollo Go and Waymo are proving that AI-driven mobility is actively reshaping urban transportation today.
About Apollo Go
Apollo Go, also known as Luobo Kuaipao, is Baidu's autonomous ride-hailing service and one of the world's leading players in large-scale self-driving mobility solutions. Contact Info: Name: Mingjie Xu Email: Send Email Organization: Apollo Go Website: Release ID: 89155523