Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, unveiled the highly anticipated Cybertruck, a self-driving taxi that could hit the market before 2027 at a price point rumored to be under $30,000. Baidu, often referred to as the “Chinese Google,” has commenced operations of its self-driving taxis in China. Its estimated value is around $29,000. The Yichai JMC 06 is a model of vehicle manufactured by JMC.
Baidu is a Chinese-language internet services company headquartered in Beijing, established in 2000. Within a quarter century, it has grown to become the primary web search engine in the Centre Kingdom. In China, locals often instruct friends and acquaintances to “do a Baidu search” – literally saying “你百度一下” (“You Baidu it”) – whenever someone needs to find information online. Just like we do with Google searches, Given China’s linguistic and cultural context, it’s hardly surprising that Baidu is often referred to as the “Chinese Google”.
Aside from serving as a behemoth search engine, Baidu undertakes numerous multifaceted endeavors. Among them is the Apollo autonomous self-driving automotive technology platform. The software program is primarily used by another Baidu subsidiary, Apollo Go. It’s a driverless taxi service. Currently operating exclusively within China’s borders. Baidu announced plans to roll out its new service globally, beyond its Chinese borders, on October 9. As Tesla hastens to launch its Cybertruck, Baidu’s autonomous taxi service is already gaining traction on the streets. The Apollo RT6 Yichi 06 minivan is that model.
Extra on Yichi 06
The Yichai 06 is a collaborative effort between JMC and Apollo, resulting in a cutting-edge electric minivan. The vehicle boasts a minimalist aesthetic, featuring rear sliding doorways and a sleek, unified taillight strip. It measures 4.765 meters in length, 1.885 meters in width, and 1.715 meters in height, with a wheelbase of 2.830 meters. The vehicle features a solitary electric motor producing 110 kW (147 horsepower) that is integrated into the front axle. The device is equipped with a removable lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery. Will the Yichi 06’s packing potentially undergo modifications within a mere three-minute timeframe?
Despite this, the standout feature of the Yichi 06 remains its cutting-edge six-generation Apollo autonomous driving technology. The device’s hardware features a comprehensive array of 40 sensors, complemented by five advanced LiDAR modules, as well as powerful processors boasting a peak computing capacity of 1,200 trillion operations per second. According to Baidu’s officials, its technology enables L4 autonomous driving systems to effectively navigate complex on-road scenarios. Consequently, the Yichi 06 may potentially be purchased without a steering wheel installed. Just like the upcoming Cybercab.
As of the end of July 2024, Baidu Apollo’s robotaxi fleet had clocked an impressive 7 million miles in cumulative mileage through completed rides.
On Apollo Day 2024, Baidu announced a significant price reduction for the Yichi 06 model, slashing its cost by an impressive 60%. The property’s residual worth amounts to approximately 204,600 Chinese yuan, equivalent to around 28,950 US dollars. JMC, a leading vehicle producer, has successfully delivered 1,000 units of its Yichi 06 model to Apollo Go’s burgeoning self-driving fleet. Chinese roads now feature Yiche 06 vehicles in operation.
Editor’s remark
Currently, the Baidu robotaxi service operates in a network of 10 cities across China. Baidu announces plans to extend its self-driving taxi service beyond Chinese borders. Tesla may indeed be running behind schedule on delivering its Cybertruck. As the US Commerce Department prepares to restrict China’s autonomous driving software, Baidu’s Apollo appears unlikely to gain traction in the world’s second-largest car market. Despite this, if Tesla introduces its robotaxi service in China, it will face stiff competition from numerous autonomous driving startups, including WeRide, Momenta, Xpeng, and Apollo Go.
