Robotaxi: China takes the lead – and Germany looks on

In China, facts are being created long ago. Numerous licenses were granted as part of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, a conference where Shanghai regularly proves its claim as a technology hotspot. The city thus demonstrates not only its willingness to innovate but also how government regulation and technological development can be strategically intertwined.

Numbers that make you sit up and take notice

The financial analysts from Goldman Sachs assume that by 2030, around 500,000 robotaxis could be on the roads in China. Five years later, that number could be more than four times as many. Economically, the development is also gaining momentum: the market for autonomous driving services could reach a volume of around 61 billion US dollars by 2035.

This turns a vision into reality that seemed speculative only a few months ago. Pony AI, for example, announced that it would initially offer its driverless services in the districts of Jinqiao and Huamu - not far from the financial center of Lujiazui. These are no longer field trials but commercial everyday life.

"We are positive about the expansion of commercial robotaxi services, which will support the growth of the industry," said the Goldman analysts in their assessment.

Cooperation instead of Competition

It is also noticeable how closely technology companies and traditional transport operators in China work together. Baidu, for example, cooperates with the taxi company DaZhong Transportation, WeRide with Chery and JinJiang Taxi. The alliances create a powerful infrastructure and provide companies with quick access to the market - both technically and regulatorily.

This close integration of industry and administration enables a speed that European providers can only dream of. While traffic concepts are being developed in commissions in Berlin, the first driverless taxis are already rolling through the city in Shanghai.

A Look Beyond National Borders

China doesn't restrict itself to the domestic market. WeRide is already present with a pilot project in Riyadh, supported by the Saudi transport authority. Pony AI, on the other hand, is testing its vehicles in Luxembourg. The international expansion is strategically planned—and won't take long. For Europe, this could become a challenge. While fundamental questions about data protection, liability, and infrastructure are still being clarified here, Chinese companies are securing market shares and gaining experience abroad.