Road test: Chinese ‘robotaxis’ take riders for a spin

A Didi Chuxing autonomous taxi during a pilot test drive on the streets in Shanghai. Chinese entrants in the race to put autonomous vehicles on the road are bringing 'robotaxis' online in hopes that a hired-car format can be the key to unlocking wide acceptance of the futuristic technology. — AFP

SHANGHAI: Chinese entrants in the race to put autonomous vehicles on the road are bringing "robotaxis" online in hopes that a hired-car format can be the key to unlocking wide acceptance of the futuristic technology.

It is expected to be years before cars that operate completely without human intervention are unleashed owing to lingering technological, regulatory, and safety hurdles.