Baidu, known as China’s Google (NASDAQ: BIDU), developed Apollo Go Robotaxi, the first autonomous taxi to get permits in China. The service is based on 5G technology, which companies say ensures the safety and reliability of autonomous vehicles. Apollo Go has operated without a safety driver since 2021 in 10 Chinese cities, including Bejing and Wuhan. The service started on August 8, 2022, reached a milestone of 1.4 million rides early in 2023 and is expected to add more cities. Like Google’s Waymo autonomous taxi service, Apollo Go uses AI for maps and driving algorithms. Waymo operates in San Francisco and Phoenix and will add Los Angeles in 2023.