After two years of hiding from regulators, Didi is in the spotlight.
The SoftBank-backed startup stated Friday at a corporate open day that it will cooperate with Chinese carmakers to deliver self-developed robot axis to the public 24/7 by 2025 to supplement its network of millions of driven vehicles.
Didi’s autonomous driving subsidiary got money from SoftBank, the parent company’s investor, in 2020. Didi built its autonomous fleets using OEMs, like other robot axis businesses. Lincoln, BYD, Nissan, and Volvo have been utilized.
The corporation purchased “hundreds of autonomous drive-ready vehicles with backup systems” from Volvo in 2021.
Didi is promoting a self-driving vehicle in addition to the robot axis. The prototype automobile, presented in a demo film on its open day, is a large rectangular van without a steering wheel or driver’s seat. Instead, “Neuron” includes a big infotainment screen and a robotic arm that picks up baggage and gives passengers water.
Didi automates car maintenance. In a video, the business displays its autonomous automobiles being washed, charged, and examined at its service facility without human assistance.
Didi’s goals go beyond transportation. For example, it occasionally launched Kargobot, an independent transportation company in a crowded market. According to Didi, Kargobot’s sales reached 100 million yuan ($14.6 million) by March with 100 autonomous trucks.