Baidu’s self-driving taxi “Luobo Kuaipao” has recently been tested in 20 cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Jinan, and Wuhan. (Screenshot from the video)
[The Epoch Times, July 20, 2024](Epoch Times special department reporters Zhao Bin and Ning Xin interviewed and reported) Recently, Baidu’s self-driving travel service platform “Apollo Go” has been tested on a large scale in multiple cities. Its operations have led to a surge in orders, which has directly impacted the livelihoods of many unemployed people who rely on online ride-hailing for income, and has been accused of taking their jobs. At the same time, safety concerns have arisen due to the frequent occurrence of traffic accidents involving “Carrot Run”.
“Luobo Kuaipao” was launched in large quantities in 20 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Jinan, and Wuhan, in mid-July. Wuhan is now its largest autonomous driving operation city.
Wuhan taxi driver Zhang Peiliang (pseudonym) told The Epoch Times that Wuhan had been conducting a trial run of “Carrot Run” for five years before the epidemic. Driverless buses and subways are now being tested in specific areas, making it a key city for driverless testing, alongside “Carrot Run”.
The biggest selling point of “Carrot Run” is its low price, which has quickly impacted the Wuhan taxi market. “The cost is very cheap, regarding 3 or 4 yuan (regarding 0.4 to 0.55 US dollars) for 10 kilometers, and 3 or 4 cents (regarding 0.04 to 0.055 US dollars) for one kilometer. It has a great impact on the taxi market, especially on online car-hailing, dealing a significant blow. Both methods are similar, but the starting price of online car-hailing is 7 yuan (regarding 0.96 US dollars), and the starting distance is 2 kilometers, putting online car-hailing at a disadvantage,” said Zhang Peiliang. .
Currently, Wuhan’s taxi market mainly consists of taxis, online car-hailing services, and the driverless online car-hailing service “Luobo Kuaipao”. According to data from the Wuhan Municipal Statistics Bureau, as of the end of 2023, there were approximately 16,000 taxis in Wuhan. The Wuhan Municipal Transportation Bureau announced this year that there are currently an average of 29,400 online ride-hailing vehicles operating in Wuhan every day. The total of more than 400 driverless cars launched by “Carrot Run” accounts for less than 1% of the market share.
According to media reports, so far, “Carrot Run” has completed 5 million orders, accounting for 45% of the industry’s total orders during the same period. Its territory is rapidly expanding and has been put into operation in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Wuhan, Chengdu, Changsha, Hefei, Yangquan, Wuzhen and other places.
A taxi driver in Wuhan complained that his turnover for 10 hours of work has been cut in half, from more than 400 yuan to regarding 200 yuan. As a result, 10% to 15% of drivers have chosen to return their cars.
A mainland Internet celebrity with more than 300,000 followers said in the video that high technologies like AI should be applied to streamline office operations, like standardized processes in areas such as civil servant certification, rather than targeting the common people who are already struggling to make a living, and grabbing profits.
The Internet celebrity also noted that with the current economic downturn, online ride-hailing and food delivery are the last resort for many Chinese to earn a living. He said: “My self-media income has been halved. If it decreases further, I will only have online car-hailing as an option, but now even that escape route is gone.”
Zhang Peiliang also told The Epoch Times that the official release number is incorrect. “Everyone in the industry knows that 1,500 units (Luobo Run) have been launched so far, and the Wuhan Municipal Government plans to launch 10,000 driverless ‘Luobots’ by the end of 2025. This will result in at least 50,000 drivers being forced to quit.”
Lin Xiaodong (pseudonym), a taxi driver in Wuhan, told The Epoch Times that he is still assessing the threat from “Carrot Run”, saying, “It is indeed very cheap, but the experience response is very poor. Now many areas in the city have long queues waiting for “Carrot Run”. But it seems that people are trying it out of curiosity, and 9 out of 10 have said, “It’s not good.”
Lin Xiaodong added that aside from the poor user experience, safety issues are also a major concern among passengers. He said that “Carrot Run” has a speed limit of 40 kilometers or less, making it slow and unresponsive. It essentially stops when it encounters obstacles, causing congestion. When traffic problems occur, passengers must contact the customer center and wait for a safety officer to drive the car away. Such a poor ride quality has led to the suspension of the service in some cities.
A mainland reporter noticed from the “Luobo Kuaipao” App that the current operating scope of the unmanned taxi in Hefei City is only part of Baohe District, but it includes intersections, T-junctions, etc., suggesting that the area is temporarily suspended. The customer service of “Luobo Kuaipao” responded that “products in Hefei are being upgraded.”
The safety of “Carrot Run” has been questioned due to frequent traffic accidents
“Carrot Run” was launched on a large scale in Wuhan, and its trial operation lasted less than ten days before causing traffic chaos in many neighborhoods and numerous accidents, raising safety concerns.
Traffic accidents related to “Carrot Run” have been widely reported online. On July 7, an aunt riding an electric bicycle was knocked down by “Carrot Run”, prompting the traffic police to arrive and handle the situation. On the 8th, Baidu issued a statement stating that the accident occurred at an intersection in Hanyang District, Wuhan City, where the “Carrot Run” made slight contact with a person who ran a red light.
Zhang Peiliang said that the traffic conditions in the urban area are not ideal. Passengers have reported that “Carrot Run” frequently brakes suddenly, causing traffic jams. Sometimes “Carrot Run” stops completely, requiring passengers to contact the customer center to resolve the situation.
On July 8, a “Carrot Run” turned left at the Wuhan 1st intersection and collided with an electric vehicle. Since the vehicle was driverless, the determination of liability for this accident is pending with the traffic police department. “Carrot Run” did not make any response to the accident.
In Wuhan, a “Carrot Run” hit a private car from the rear left side, angering the car owner. This incident marked the first traffic accident involving the driverless “Carrot Run”.
On July 14, a “Carrot Run” was suspected of rear-ending a large truck, with the hood of the “Carrot Run” completely crashing into the rear of the truck. Some people said, “If you are rear-ended by an unlicensed driverless car, how will you be held responsible?”
Regarding driverless technology, BYD founder and former president Wang Chuanfu said in a speech in April 2023 that there are numerous bottlenecks in driverless driving (in China). He bluntly said: “(Although it is immature), it is being forced by capital and is deceiving the public.”
Despite these problems, “Carrot Run” achieved significant revenue following being put into trial operation on a large scale. On July 10, the order volume of “Luobo Kuaipao” in Wuhan experienced explosive growth, with a peak of more than 20 orders per day, equivalent to the average daily order volume of taxi drivers. The news drove up Baidu’s stock price, with Baidu’s Hong Kong stock price rising by more than 10% that day. Related topics trended on Weibo.
Zhang Peiliang said that “Carrot Run” does not even have a driving license, yet it runs in large numbers on the streets. The traffic police do not intervene. If a traffic accident occurs, it is unclear who to hold responsible or how to determine liability. The government must have collected money. The livelihood of taxi drivers, traffic safety, and other issues are not priorities for them (the government).
Editor in charge: Lian Shuhua#
Baidu’s Self-Driving Taxi “Luobo Kuaipao” Faces Criticism Amidst Expansion
Baidu’s self-driving taxi service, “Luobo Kuaipao” (Carrot Run), has recently been rolled out in 20 Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Jinan, and Wuhan. While the company touts its low prices and growing market share, the expansion has sparked controversy, raising concerns regarding job displacement, safety, and the potential for disruption to the existing transportation ecosystem.
Impact on Taxi Drivers and Online Ride-Hailing
The introduction of “Luobo Kuaipao” has had a significant impact on the livelihoods of taxi drivers and online ride-hailing drivers in Wuhan. With its significantly lower prices, “Carrot Run” has captured a substantial share of the market, leading to reduced earnings for traditional drivers.
Wuhan taxi driver Zhang Peiliang shared that his earnings have been cut in half since the arrival of “Luobo Kuaipao.” He estimates that around 10% to 15% of drivers have already opted to return their cars due to declining income. Online ride-hailing services are also feeling the pinch, as “Carrot Run” offers a similar service at a lower price, effectively putting them at a disadvantage.
The rapid expansion of “Luobo Kuaipao” has raised concerns regarding the future of the entire transportation industry. This fear is further fueled by the Wuhan Municipal Government’s plan to deploy 10,000 driverless “Luobo Kuaipao” vehicles by the end of 2025. Such a large-scale deployment might displace tens of thousands of drivers, leaving them without employment options.
Critics argue that the development of AI technologies like “Luobo Kuaipao” should prioritize streamlined office operations and standardized processes before disrupting industries that are vital for the livelihoods of many, especially those who are already struggling economically.
Safety Concerns and Frequent Accidents
Beyond job displacement, “Luobo Kuaipao” has also faced criticism over its safety record. Despite having been tested for five years in Wuhan, concerns remain regarding the reliability and safety of the autonomous technology.
Numerous reports have surfaced online detailing traffic accidents involving “Luobo Kuaipao” vehicles. These accidents range from minor collisions with pedestrians and cyclists to more serious rear-end collisions with other vehicles.
One particularly concerning incident involved a “Luobo Kuaipao” vehicle turning left and colliding with an electric vehicle. Given the driverless nature of the car, the determination of liability for the accident is yet to be established. This incident highlights a crucial challenge with autonomous vehicle technology: determining responsibility in case of accidents.
Passengers have also reported concerns regarding the “Luobo Kuaipao” vehicles’ sudden braking, slow speeds, and poor response to obstacles. These issues have led to congestion and frustrated passengers. In some cases, vehicles have stopped entirely, requiring manual intervention by customer service agents.
The recurring safety concerns, coupled with the lack of clarity on who is responsible for accidents involving driverless vehicles, have led to widespread skepticism regarding the technology and its readiness for large-scale deployment.
The Future of “Luobo Kuaipao” and Autonomous Driving in China
While the rollout of “Luobo Kuaipao” has generated significant revenue for Baidu, the controversy surrounding the service throws a critical spotlight on the challenges and ethical considerations of autonomous driving technology in China. The potential for job displacement, safety concerns, and the lack of regulatory clarity on responsibility in accidents are significant obstacles that need to be addressed before autonomous vehicles can be widely adopted.
It remains to be seen how these issues will be resolved and whether “Luobo Kuaipao” can overcome the opposition and establish itself as a viable transportation option in the long term.
Table 1: “Luobo Kuaipao” Rollout and Impact
| City | Launch Date | Estimated Number of Vehicles | Impact on Taxi Drivers | Safety Concerns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wuhan | July 2024 | 1,500+ (projected 10,000 by 2025) | Significant income reduction, driver displacement | Frequent accidents, sudden braking, slow speeds |
| Beijing | July 2024 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Shanghai | July 2024 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Chongqing | July 2024 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Jinan | July 2024 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
The future of “Luobo Kuaipao” and autonomous driving in China will depend on finding solutions to these challenges, addressing public concerns, and creating a regulatory framework that ensures accountability and safety.
