[Explanation] After testing over 16 million kilometers of roads in more than 30 cities, 400,000 passengers, Baidu Apollo launched a commercial pilot service on November 25. Passengers need to pay a fare for Baidu's self-driving cars.
[Explanation] In the morning, the Beijing Autonomous Driving Office issued a pilot license for the commercialization of autonomous driving travel services to Baidu. At the same time, a resident of Beijing Yizhuang used the "Carrot Run" APP to complete the first payment and became the first user to experience it.
[Concurrent] Aunt Yuan, a Beijing resident
I support charging. There may be more cars and more routes in the future.
[Explanation] After launching commercialized pilot services, how will Baidu's self-driving cars charge?
In this regard, Wei Dong, vice president of Baidu's intelligent driving business group and chief safety operation officer, introduced that Baidu Apollo will adopt a market-based pricing mechanism.
[Concurrent] Wei Dong, Vice President and Chief Safety Operation Officer of Baidu Intelligent Driving Business Group
We are currently referring to the standard of online car-hailing special car, and price is not lower than the price of online car-hailing special car. That is to say, we are currently using the mileage billing model, which includes the starting fee plus the mileage fee. .
[Explanation] According to reports, Baidu has obtained nearly 70 commercial pilot service qualifications this time, and all these vehicles will be put on the market to provide travel services for citizens.
[Explanation] Mentioning operational safety issues, Wei Dong said that during the commercial pilot service period, each self-driving car will be equipped with professionally trained and assessed safety officers.
[Concurrent] Wei Dong, Vice President and Chief Safety Operation Officer of Baidu Intelligent Driving Business Group
In the entire driving process, in principle, the safety officer does not need to intervene in the driving process. The driving behavior of the intelligent networked car is mainly used. The safety officer acts more as an emergency guarantee. This is on the one hand, on the other hand, all our fleets Both vehicles and personnel are centrally managed. In this way, standardized management can be realized from the service process of vehicles and personnel, and reliable and safe services can be provided to citizens.
[Explanation] At present, citizens can get to Baidu's self-driving car through the "Carrot Run" APP and Baidu Map's taxi-hailing platform.
Wei Dong said that Baidu is willing to cooperate with platform providers and traditional taxi companies who are interested in autonomous driving services to promote the application of autonomous driving in the field of public transportation services.
[Explanation] Wei Dong said that in the future, Baidu will increase the launch of autonomous vehicles based on market demand.
Reporter Liu Chao reports from Beijing
Editor in charge: [Wang Kai]