China allows Volkswagen Level 3 tests in Hefei and Xpeng demonstration Level 4 robotaxis in Guangzhou
Prepared by Sintelligent with the help of SI. Published in SI: . Updated: .
Permits for self-driving cars in China are being issued in stages: Xpeng is launching its service by invitation code, while Volkswagen is still testing L3.
According to The Next Web, Volkswagen received permission in Hefei for road tests of Level 3 systems and has begun collecting data; the company is aiming for L3 readiness by 2027. Xpeng received permission for demonstration operation of Level 4 robotaxis across Guangzhou: the Xpeng Yoyo service will launch by invitation code with gradual expansion, on the GX crossover with four Turing chips (3,000 TOPS). Xpeng plans to be a technology supplier rather than an operator of large fleets, is in talks with European ride-hailing platforms and intends to carry passengers without a safety driver in 2027. The permits come after China suspended new robotaxi licences in April over an incident involving Baidu in Wuhan and launched a safety review; issuing resumed in July.
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