Baidu’s sixth-generation autonomous vehicle, the RT6 robotaxi, which made its debut in 2022 and launched in May 2024, has commenced operations in multiple cities across China.
The RT6 is a purpose-built, mass-produced Level 4 autonomous vehicle that adopts a battery swapping solution for flexibility. Baidu is asking below US$30,000 for a new RT6. The new model will be crucial to Baidu’s fleet expansion as it significantly reduces hardware depreciation and improves unit economics, moving the company closer to profitability.
“This not only expands our vehicle line-up, but also reaffirms our commitment to scaling operations and providing users with safer, more affordable and comfortable mobility experiences,” said Robin Li, Baidu co-founder and CEO. This announcement follows the start of fully driverless operations in Wuhan last quarter.
Baidu’s Q3 earnings report states a year-on-year growth of 20% for Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing service Apollo Go, with 70% of total rides nationwide provided by the service, rising to 80% in October. Apollo Go delivered 8 million rides in October.
Li said, “While our technology is ready for wider deployment, safe and responsible autonomous driving requires a solid foundation of a harmonized regulatory framework. We remain patient as we continue to work alongside the evolving regulatory framework, standing ready to rapidly scale up our operations when the time is right.”