Raphael Thys
A CHINESE search engine has launched a limited edition self-driving electric vehicle.
Baidu Inc, the search provider, is partnering with Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group to manufacture Robo-01, a semi-self-driving electric car.
Chinese search engine company Baidu has launched a limited edition electric vehicle with self-driving tech
The car can perform steering, to a degree, on expressways and open roads and has a voice activated system, KYODO News reports.
The vehicle does not have a gear-shift lever.
A total of 1,000 units of the new car have been produced with each costing 399,800 yuan, or $55,308.
The manufacturing is limited to those units, and they were sold to a reserved list.
Jidu Auto, Baidu's automaker parent company, contacted high-profile clients in September to purchase the cars, according to Nikkei Asia.
U.S. suppliers Qualcomm and Nvidia manufactured semi-conductors that come in Robo-01.
CEO Xia Yiping said that they will "elevate" the self driving performance.
The car is eligible for free charging and maintenance for its entire lifetime.
Baidu started offering fully driverless ride-hailing services in August on open roads in Chongqing and Wuhan.
Wei Dong, vice president and chief safety operation officer of Baidu intelligent driving group, said that the company is aiming to launch full self-driving cars for customers in Beijing "later this year or early next year."