[Autonomous Driving & Robotaxi] 8 Key Cities in Asia and the Middle East

The concept of robotaxis has emerged as an integral part of autonomous driving discussions, and various initiatives are being undertaken to demonstrate and test self-driving vehicles. In this post, we explore eight cities in Asia and the Middle East that are making significant strides in autonomous mobility.

The selected cities are Beijing, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi. These cities, spanning China, Japan, Singapore, and the UAE, are actively shaping the future of autonomous driving through ambitious policies, pilot programs, and commercial services.

1. Beijing, China

Beijing has positioned itself as a frontrunner in autonomous driving through extensive testing and commercialization efforts. In July 2022, the city launched China’s first pilot program for commercial robotaxi services, enabling Baidu and Pony.ai to deploy 30 self-driving vehicles in a 60-square-kilometer area.

By October 2024, Beijing expanded its autonomous driving test area to 3,000 square kilometers, more than doubling the previous coverage. As of early 2024, over 1,160 kilometers of public roads were open for testing, with 384 vehicles from 18 companies receiving operational approval.

Notable advancements include:

  • Autonomous shuttle services between Beijing Daxing International Airport and Yizhuang.

  • Integration of autonomous vehicles into public transit and ride-hailing services.

  • Development of a vehicle-road-cloud integrated system to enhance safety and efficiency.

  • Collaboration with Baidu, Pony.ai, and JD.com to accelerate autonomous mobility solutions.

Sources:

2. Shenzhen, China

Shenzhen is rapidly emerging as a hub for autonomous driving and smart mobility, with widespread adoption of autonomous minibuses, robotaxis, and delivery vehicles.

Key developments:

  • April 2023: Shenzhen Bus Group launched autonomous minibus routes in collaboration with SenseAuto.

  • May 2023: Pony.ai received approval for full public testing of driverless robotaxis.

  • 2024: Shenzhen opened 944 km of public roads for self-driving vehicle testing, including 67 km of highways.

  • The city aims to generate 200 billion yuan from its intelligent connected vehicle (ICV) industry by 2025.

Sources:

3. Wuhan, China

Wuhan has been at the forefront of integrating autonomous driving with smart city infrastructure. The city authorized Baidu’s Apollo Go service to operate 500 robotaxis, representing 1% of all taxis in Wuhan.

Strategic efforts include:

  • Deployment of a 5G-enabled smart road network for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication.

  • Expansion of Apollo Go’s fleet to 1,000 vehicles by the end of 2024.

  • Establishing Wuhan as a key testing ground for future autonomous mobility initiatives.

Sources:

4. Guangzhou, China

Guangzhou has established itself as a major hub for self-driving technology, with over 1,980 km of roads designated for testing autonomous vehicles.

Recent progress includes:

  • The launch of a new autonomous highway route connecting Guangzhou South Railway Station and Baiyun International Airport.

  • Baidu’s Apollo Go and Pony.ai operating large-scale robotaxi fleets.

  • Development of 5G smart roads and V2X systems to support autonomous driving.

Sources:

5. Shanghai, China

Shanghai has been a leader in autonomous vehicle testing since opening its first test roads in 2018. The city now hosts four major pilot zones in Jiading, Lingang, Fengxian, and Jinqiao, with over 2,000 km of designated test roads.

Key initiatives:

  • Licensing Baidu Apollo, AutoX, Pony.ai, and SAIC AI Lab for robotaxi services in Pudong.

  • Setting a goal for 70% of new vehicles to feature Level 2 or Level 3 automation by 2025.

  • Expansion of public transit integration for autonomous mobility.

Sources:

6. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is embracing autonomous mobility as part of its Smart City initiatives, with local startup Tier IV and global player Waymo entering the market.

Recent advancements:

  • November 2024: Tier IV launches Level 4 autonomous taxi service in Odaiba.

  • 2025: Waymo enters Tokyo in partnership with Nihon Kotsu and GO ride-hailing platform.

  • Government targets 100 municipalities for Level 4 autonomous transport by 2027.

Sources:

7. Singapore

Singapore’s Smart Mobility 2030 strategy prioritizes autonomous transportation as part of its national urban mobility transformation.

Major developments:

  • 2014: Launch of Smart Mobility 2030 framework.

  • NTU’s CARTS research center: A global hub for autonomous vehicle innovation.

  • Hyundai’s Motional and Aptiv: Testing and production of IONIQ 5-based robotaxis.

  • Autonomous public transit and logistics: Trials in One-North and Tuas Mega Port.

Sources:

8. Abu Dhabi, UAE

Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as the Middle East’s premier hub for autonomous mobility, with Uber and WeRide launching the region’s first commercial robotaxi service.

Key highlights:

  • 2021: Launch of the UAE’s first robotaxi trials.

  • December 2024: Uber and WeRide roll out autonomous mobility services in key areas like Yas Island and Abu Dhabi International Airport.

  • Future Expansion: Plans for fully driverless operations by 2025.

Sources:

Conclusion

These eight cities are at the forefront of autonomous mobility, each with unique policies, infrastructure, and industry collaborations. As regulations evolve and technology advances, these regions are expected to lead the next phase of global autonomous transportation.

Stay tuned for more updates on autonomous mobility trends across the world!

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