Is China embracing autonomous driving?

Will China become a vanguard of autonomous driving as it has in mobile payments and high-speed railways? Recently, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology solicited public opinion on the "Beijing Autonomous Driving Vehicle Regulations". Beijing plans to use autonomous driving or driverless vehicles for urban public bus transport, ride-hailing services, car rentals and other urban mobility services.

Imagine a future where you hail a cab via a ride-hailing app and a driverless vehicle arrives. No more dealing with picky drivers refusing short trips, unpleasant smells from drivers smoking or sleeping in the car, or unwanted conversations when you crave a quiet ride home after a long day. All of this comes at a lower cost, as the Apollo Go robotaxi, a driverless service from China's tech giant Baidu, charge significantly less than traditional ride-hailing services, at least for now.

The service is already gaining popularity in 11 trial cities, including Wuhan and Beijing. Despite a recent incident in Wuhan where one of these cars hit a pedestrian, which the company attributed to the pedestrian's ignorance of the red light, Baidu's shares surged, reflecting the market's optimism toward driverless vehicles.

However, if this technological advancement is applied on a large scale, it might result in many drivers losing their jobs. Some argue that companies like Baidu could redirect their research and development efforts towards fostering inclusive economic growth, ensuring that all sectors of society reap the rewards of these advancements. In fact, while driverless technology may replace many drivers, it also opens doors to new opportunities, such as roles in driving safety oversight. Moreover, manned cabs can offer personalized and compassionate services to compete effectively with their autonomous counterparts.

Local governments should offer guidance and support for autonomous driving. The irreversible trend of robots and AI replacing low-skill jobs necessitates a shift in focus. For drivers, the ultimate answer may not lie in competing with robots and technology but in competing with an uninspired version of oneself. Continuous innovation is crucial for maintaining competitiveness, whether for businesses, companies, or individuals.

Luckily, this isn't an urgent issue at present, as many individuals remain hesitant to utilize driverless cabs. Governments and tech companies should take on the social responsibility of ensuring that the benefits of technology are shared by everyone, and individuals, too, must keep up with the times to avoid being left behind in an increasingly intelligent era.

The author is a writer with China Daily.