Didi deploys self-driving taxi fleet in Shanghai, seeking edge on Baidu

China ride-hailer hopes big data will allow it to take lead in driverless race

2020 Didi self-driving taxi

Safety officers will sit in the driver’s seat during Didi Chuxing's test run of self-driving taxis in Shanghai.

SHUNSUKE TABETA, Nikkei staff writer

BEIJING -- China's largest ride-hailing company Didi Chuxing has deployed dozens of self-driving vehicles on the streets of Shanghai in its biggest automated-taxi trial, the company said Saturday, seeking an edge on rival Baidu.

Didi launched the test operation of fully autonomous "level 4" taxis on a road in the Jiading District on the outskirts of Shanghai. A safety officer will sit in the driver’s seat during the trial, which offers free rides for now.

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