Baidu Robotaxi Fall Raises Safety Concerns in China

An autonomous vehicle, part of Baidu's Apollo Go robotaxi service, plunged into a construction pit while carrying a passenger in Chongqing, China, as reported by local media. The passenger escaped unharmed and was rescued by residents using a ladder, raising questions about the vehicle's navigation and safety systems.

Footage on Chinese social media displayed the Baidu Apollo-branded vehicle in the trench, despite visible barriers and warning signs at the construction site. Although the location of the videos was confirmed by Reuters, the mystery of how the car bypassed the safety measures remains unsolved, and Baidu has not responded to requests for comment.

This incident has ignited a conversation on the safety of autonomous vehicles in China. While Baidu pushes for global expansion by partnering with US companies like Uber and Lyft, previous incidents with other autonomous vehicle companies highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring the safety and reliability of robotaxis worldwide.

(With inputs from agencies.)