Driverless taxi accident in China sparks discussions on challenges of autonomous driving tech

The commercial application of robotaxis in more cities across China has also raised employment concerns among taxi drivers. - AFP

BEIJING: A self-driving taxi operated by Chinese tech heavyweight Baidu recently hit a pedestrian in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, sparking heated discussions on the challenges and limitations facing autonomous driving technology, especially in complex scenarios.

The commercial application of robotaxis in more cities across the country has also raised employment concerns, as taxi drivers are worried about losing their jobs amid intensifying competition from driverless ride-hailing vehicles, industry experts said.