Recently, Baidu's self-driving robotaxi service "Apollo Go" has experienced a significant increase in orders in Wuhan. According to a report by Hubei Daily, "Apollo Go" has deployed over 400 autonomous vehicles in the city, drawing widespread attention and discussion among netizens.
Slow driving speed
Wuhan resident Li Huan told reporters that she has taken the "Apollo Go" self-driving robotaxi twice, finding it cheaper than other taxis and ride-hailing services. "If you're not in a hurry, it's a good option," she said. "The first ride was completely driverless, with the steering wheel moving on its own; the second ride had a driver. I felt the second ride was much faster. "It feels a bit 'dumb' at times," she added, "mainly because it's slow and not as responsive during lane changes compared to human-driven cars."
Some ride-hailing drivers have pointed out that routes taking them around 40 minutes could take up to three hours with Apollo Go.
However, this is also related to RoboTaxi's adherence to rules and its commitment to safety. "Safety" is a label that Baidu has prominently attached to RoboTaxi.
Lower Costs
Compared to traditional ride-hailing services, Apollo Go offers more competitive prices. Wuhan resident Liu Shuang, who frequently uses Apollo Go to take her child to and from tutoring classes, said that her trips cost less than 6 yuan each, with the cheapest ride being only 2.5 yuan, comparable to bus fares. In contrast, a similar trip with Didi would cost her between 11 and 15 yuan.
Passenger Restrictions
Apollo Go's official guidelines specify that pregnant women, infants in arms, seniors over 70, and individuals with cardiovascular diseases or other health conditions are prohibited from riding.
Customer service explained that since the service is still in the testing phase, these restrictions are in place to ensure passenger safety. They noted that these policies might be updated as the service progresses.
Traffic Congestion Issues
Some Wuhan residents have complained about the unusual behavior of autonomous vehicles, such as stopping in the middle of the road or moving too slowly during peak hours, causing traffic congestion and safety concerns.
On July 12th, Apollo Go staff responded that they are continuously improving vehicle technology and encouraged users to report any issues for prompt resolution.
Apollo Go has launched passenger testing services in 11 cities, including fully autonomous driving tests in Beijing, Wuhan, Chongqing, Shenzhen, and Shanghai.
Have you tried a ride in a self-driving robotaxi? How does it compare to traditional taxis and ride-hailing services? We welcome your feedback in the comments section.
No comments:
Post a Comment