BUSINESS

To Make Autonomous Driving a Viable Business, Add Robotaxis to Ride-Hailing Networks, Didi Executive Says

Published: Apr. 13, 2026 7:27 p.m. GMT+8

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Didi Global Inc. co-founder Zhang Bo.

Integrating robotaxis with human-driven cabs on ride-hailing platforms is the optimal path to commercializing Level 4 autonomous driving technology, said Zhang Bo, a co-founder of Didi Global Inc.

The strategy highlights the practical hurdles of deploying fully autonomous robotaxis, as local policy restrictions and technical limitations in complex road and weather conditions continue to limit point-to-point driverless operations.

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Zhang Bo of Didi advocates mixed robotaxi-human cab networks for Level 4 AV commercialization, dispatching based on conditions.
Hurdles: policy restrictions limit point-to-point ops; AI not 10x safer than humans in all weather/roads.
Didi launched driverless service in Guangzhou Dec 2025; Pony AI, WeRide integrate similarly.

AI generated, for reference only

Who’s Who

Didi Global Inc.: Didi Global Inc., co-founded by Zhang Bo (CEO of its self-driving unit), serves over 50 million daily users in 400+ Chinese cities and 14 overseas markets. Established autonomous driving in 2016, it launched a fully driverless robotaxi service in Guangzhou's demonstration zone in December 2025, advocating mixed human-autonomous ride-hailing networks.

Pony AI Inc.: Pony AI Inc. has integrated its vehicles into mobility platforms operated by Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd., embracing the mixed network approach for commercializing autonomous driving.

WeRide Inc.: WeRide Inc. has integrated its vehicles into mobility platforms operated by Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd., as part of the industry-wide mixed network approach for robotaxis.

Tencent Holdings Ltd.: Tencent Holdings Ltd. operates mobility platforms into which autonomous driving startups Pony AI Inc. and WeRide Inc. have integrated their vehicles.

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd.: Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd. operates a mobility platform that integrates autonomous vehicles from startups like Pony AI Inc. and WeRide Inc., supporting a mixed network of human-driven and robotaxis.

AI generated, for reference only