Volvo Cars, a global leader in automotive safety, and DiDi Autonomous Driving, the self-driving technology arm of Didi Chuxing, the world’s leading mobility technology platform, have signed a strategic collaboration agreement on autonomous vehicles for DiDi’s self-driving test fleet.
Volvo Cars will provide DiDi with XC90 cars equipped with necessary backup systems for functions such as steering and braking, and collaborate with DiDi Autonomous Driving to integrate the additional software and hardware required to make it fully ready for autonomous drive.
The XC90 cars will be the first to integrate DiDi Gemini, DiDi Autonomous Driving’s new self-driving hardware platform and are intended to be deployed for ride-hailing DiDi’s network in the future.
The agreement reinforces Volvo Cars’ position as a car provider and the partner of choice for self-driving fleets, building on its reputation as a global leader in automotive safety.
The built-in backup systems and safety features on the XC90s, combined with DiDi Autonomous Driving’s advanced self-driving system, will eventually allow the cars to operate without safety drivers in robotaxi services.
Building on today’s agreement, Volvo Cars and DiDi Autonomous Driving look to build a long-term partnership as DiDi continues to expand its autonomous test fleets across China and the US and scales up its commercial robotaxi operations.
As the world’s leading shared mobility technology platform, DiDi uses its deep expertise in network operation and a large bank of real-world driving data to develop commercial autonomous transportation services by collaborating with the world’s premium carmakers.
In 2020, Volvo Cars provided DiDi with Volvo XC60s for Shanghai’s first pilot robotaxi programme. People in certain areas of Shanghai could book trips by robotaxi in the DiDi app and be driven autonomously while a safety driver and engineer monitored the cars.
“This strategic collaboration with DiDi Autonomous Driving is further validation of our ambition to be the partner of choice to the world’s leading ride-hailing companies,” said Håkan Samuelsson, Volvo Cars’ chief executive. “Combining DiDi’s expanding robotaxi programme with our safe cars creates a great match to build trust among consumers for autonomous ride-hailing.”
Volvo Cars’ partner-of-choice ambition comes as ride-hailing firms worldwide seek to expand their fleets with fully autonomous cars safely and responsibly. The reputation of Volvo Cars as a global leader in automotive safety is a strong asset as it pursues this ambition.
“In expanding partnerships with global automotive industry leaders, we believe shared, electric and autonomous vehicle networks will be crucial for future urban transport systems to achieve the highest safety and sustainability standards,” said Bob Zhang, CEO of DiDi Autonomous Driving and CTO of Didi Chuxing. “DiDi Gemini, our new self-driving hardware platform incorporates critical hardware improvements from our test passenger service operations in Shanghai. With Volvo Cars’ leadership in safety, we look forward to achieving new milestones towards future autonomous transport services.”
Coming from a positive showing in its home round at Imola, Lamborghini Iron Lynx will…
After two double podiums to start the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) season, Hyundai Motor…
Motorists have been urged to check their sunglasses are legal before driving to avoid penalty…
Could video games and online shopping be possible while the car is on the move?…
When buying a new car, your most important job is keeping it in good condition.…
Motorists are warned they could still pay for invalidated protection, as incorrect details could void…