Inside China’s Robotaxi Boom

I rode China’s new wave of robotaxis through storms, night traffic, and crowded streets — here’s what works, what doesn’t, and how fast they might scale.

China's Robotaxi Reality Check: What Actually Works

China's robotaxi sector is at an inflection point. Development is moving at breakneck speed. Service zones keep expanding, operating hours are getting longer even 24/7 in some cities, and some fleets now run without safety drivers. Every few weeks, new streets and districts are added to the service zones.

Recently, I tested — or in some cases tried and failed to test — robotaxis in Shanghai and Shenzhen. I share with you what actually worked, who’s running fully driverless, where they operate, and what the rides cost compared to traditional taxis.

I booked them in daylight, at night, and in conditions most human drivers would gladly call in sick for. On August 5th, a huge rainstorm shut down parts of Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Streets flooded. Traffic stalled. A robotaxi still showed up, beeped politely, and drove me through it.

Here is the prequel to this article, in case you missed it.

China’s Robotaxi Race Hits an Inflection Point — But Baidu Risks Falling Behind again

In this article, I share first-hand experiences riding China’s latest robotaxis, what stood out on the road, detailed maps of where they actually operate, and my own take on how the next stage of this race is likely to unfold.