The Automated Driving Industry Trends Report by Bishop Consulting reveals that Chinese and U.S. robotaxis have collectively traveled over 60 million miles, indicating the increasing presence and growth of robotaxi services to cater to public transportation needs. Waymo leads the U.S. market with 20 million miles of fully driverless operations, while companies in China such as Apollo Go and Pony report significant mileage as well. WeRide, operating in 26 cities worldwide, is set to introduce fully driverless robotaxis in Beijing this year.
With 47 automated driving players globally, including 17 offering robotaxi services, the ADIT Report provides a comprehensive overview of the driverless industry worldwide. In the U.S., Waymo has expanded its services to San Francisco and Los Angeles, while Cruise aims to restart operations soon. Zoox, now owned by Amazon, offers driverless rides in Silicon Valley, and Motional plans to launch robotaxi services in Las Vegas. Tesla’s robotaxi plans have faced delays, with skepticism surrounding their implementation.
In China, eight major cities host robotaxi operators, including AutoX, Apollo Go, Pony.ai, and WeRide. Apollo Go is the first to offer services on both streets and highways in China. European robotaxi activity is focused on robo-shuttles, with companies like MOIA in collaboration with Volkswagen planning autonomous service trials in Hamburg. Automated buses and shuttles are gaining traction, with companies like May Mobility, Beep, and Glydways deploying driverless shuttles in various locations worldwide.
Reflecting on the journey of autonomy, from the USDOT’s initiatives in the 1990s to the DARPA Challenges in the 2000s, the trajectory of driverless technology has evolved significantly. Google’s self-driving car program, now Waymo, marked a turning point in the industry, sparking innovation and competition. Chinese companies like Baidu also entered the scene, benefitting from the momentum created by Google’s initiative. Today, millions of rides are being provided by autonomous vehicles each week, with potential for exponential growth in the future.
Looking ahead, the deployment of driverless vehicles in various forms, including robotaxis, shuttles, and buses, is on the rise, offering a new era of transportation services driven by autonomy. As technologies evolve and adoption increases, the possibility of reaching milestones like 100 million miles of operation looms on the horizon. The ADIT Report Series sheds light on the current landscape of automated driving and provides insights into the future of mobility.
