Shanghai Expands Robotaxi Services With Free Route to Pudong Airport
A new, free-of-charge robotaxi service connecting the Shanghai International Tourism and Resorts Zone to Pudong International Airport was launched on August 20, a significant step in the city's push to commercialize autonomous vehicle technology.
The Level 4 autonomous route is operated by IM Motors, the electric vehicle brand of SAIC Motor, in partnership with ride-hailing platform SAIC Mobility and software firm Z-ONE Tech. The service, which completes the airport journey in approximately 30 minutes, is the first in Shanghai to receive approval for demonstration operations on a route that includes both expressways and surface roads.
As the service is in a demonstration phase, all rides are currently offered for free. In compliance with local regulations for autonomous driving on high-speed roads, each vehicle is staffed with a human safety driver in the driver's seat, ready to take manual control in case of an emergency.
The launch is the latest in a series of accelerated deployments of autonomous ride-hailing services across Shanghai. The move follows the issuance of a new batch of operating permits in July and the recent launch of paid services by competitors including Pony.ai, signaling intensifying competition as a new-front opens in China’s autonomous driving sector.
A First for Shanghai's Expressways
The new tourist line represents a key technical and regulatory milestone, integrating autonomous driving across complex urban and highway environments. Users can book a ride through the SAIC Mobility app from multiple points within the resort zone, including the two Shanghai Disneyland Resort hotels and the airport link line station.
According to IM Motors, the presence of a safety driver provides a "dual guarantee" for passenger safety on the high-speed sections of the route. This setup differs from other robotaxi operations in the city that are restricted to urban roads. The vehicles can be switched to manual mode by the safety driver if required.
Broader Commercialization Push
This free airport shuttle follows the launch of IM Motors’ first commercial robotaxi service on August 15 in Shanghai’s Lingang New Area. That service, which is a paid operation, covers 58 stops across tourist sites, commercial centers, residential areas, and transport hubs.
Notably, the robotaxis in Lingang operate with the driver’s seat empty, with a safety operator stationed in the front passenger seat instead. This distinction highlights a tiered approach to deployment, with more complex routes like expressways requiring stricter safety protocols for the current phase of development.
City-Wide Autonomous Rollout
Shanghai is rapidly advancing its autonomous vehicle ambitions. On July 25, during the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, municipal authorities granted demonstration operating licenses to a group of eight companies. The recipients included Baidu Apollo , Dazhong Transportation (Group) Co., Ltd. , and Utopilot , among others.
Following the approvals, competitor Pony.ai, in partnership with Shanghai Jinjiang Taxi Service Co., Ltd. , launched its paid, driverless robotaxi service to the public on August 1. Operating initially in the Pudong districts of Jinqiao and Huamu, the service has a base fare of 14 yuan (US$1.93) for the first three kilometers, with an additional charge of 2.7 yuan per kilometer thereafter, setting a pricing benchmark for commercial robotaxi services in the city.