Didi Autonomous Driving Start 24/7 Fully Driverless Testing in Guangzhou
Didi Autonomous Driving has initiated round-the-clock, fully driverless passenger testing in Guangzhou, marking a significant expansion in the commercial deployment of robotaxi technology. The service removes safety drivers entirely from the vehicle, allowing users to book rides directly through the company's primary mobile application.
The testing operations cover the Huangpu district, a core metropolitan area, and run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This move integrates autonomous vehicles into high-frequency urban commuting scenarios, testing the system's reliability in complex traffic conditions without human intervention behind the wheel.
This development follows the company's role as the official autonomous driving service provider for the 15th National Games held earlier this year. Building on the shuttle services provided at city center sports venues during the event, the new phase aims to accelerate the maturity of unmanned technology in open road environments.
By embedding robotaxis into the standard ride-hailing network, the company seeks to gather extensive user feedback to refine its service capabilities. The initiative underscores the firm's strategy to deepen its participation in Guangzhou’s smart city infrastructure and high-quality development plans.
Round-the-Clock Operations
The newly launched service focuses on the Huangpu core living circle, a high-density urban zone. The operational area includes critical transportation hubs and daily destination points such as subway stations, schools, supermarkets, office buildings, and residential complexes.
Unlike limited-hour trials, the service operates continuously from Monday to Sunday. This full-time schedule allows the system to face diverse lighting and traffic scenarios, validating the technology's readiness for unrestricted commercial use.
Hybrid Dispatch System
To maximize fleet efficiency, Didi has integrated the autonomous service into its broader dispatching system. Users can request a ride via use a dedicated "Autonomous Driving" entry in the app or opt for a mixed model by selecting both autonomous and traditional ride-hailing options simultaneously.
The system utilizes an intelligent matching algorithm to assign vehicles. It evaluates factors including pickup and drop-off locations, real-time road conditions, dispatch distance, and the immediate supply and demand of surrounding vehicles to determine the most efficient ride allocation.
Remote Support and Control
The fully unmanned vehicles feature specific protocols for passenger interaction and safety. Upon the vehicle's arrival, passengers can unlock the doors via the app on their mobile devices or through auto-unlock proximity features near the car door.
During the trip, passengers maintain control over their journey. Users can modify their destination mid-ride or request a stop at the nearest safe location. For assistance, an in-car screen provides one-touch access to a remote customer service team, ensuring support is available despite the absence of a physical driver.
Smart City Integration
The expansion leverages momentum from the company's involvement in major public events in 2025. As the official partner for the 15th Games, Didi Autonomous Driving managed transportation tasks in key areas surrounding major stadiums, demonstrating its operational capacity.
Positioning itself as a "City Partner," the company stated that the current testing phase is designed to contribute to Guangzhou's intelligent transport ecosystem. The primary objective remains the collection of data to optimize the user experience and advance the capabilities of urban automated mobility.