China’s Baidu races Waymo, GM to develop self-driving cars

A technician monitors the self-driving taxi developed by tech giant Baidu Inc in Beijing. Baidu Inc is China's highest-profile competitor in a multibillion-dollar race with Alphabet Inc’s Waymo and General Motors Co’s Cruise to create self-driving cars. — AP

BEIJING: With no one at the wheel, a self-driving taxi developed by tech giant Baidu Inc is rolling down a Beijing street when its sensors spot the corner of a delivery cart jutting into its lane.

The taxi stops a half-car-length away. “So sorry,” a recorded voice tells passengers. The steering wheel turns on its own as the taxi makes its way around the cart. A Baidu technician watches from the front passenger seat.