CaoCao Inc., a ride-hailing platform originally incubated by Geely, began Robotaxi road testing without an in-vehicle safety operator on July 27 in Hangzhou. Tests are conducted on public roads in the city's Binjiang District, with vehicles receiving ride assignments only when designated stations trigger requests. CaoCao received approval in April to become Hangzhou's first mobility company authorized to test intelligent connected vehicles without onboard safety operators.
Unmanned Road Testing: CaoCao Enters a New Phase
CaoCao Inc. — a ride-hailing platform in China originally incubated by Geely — officially began Robotaxi road testing without an in-vehicle safety operator on July 27, advancing its driverless program in Hangzhou. Tests are taking place on public roads in the city's Binjiang District. Vehicles receive ride assignments only when designated stations trigger a request, allowing CaoCao to evaluate system stability and service reliability within a limited and controlled operating framework.
It is important to note that the program remains a road test rather than a fully open commercial service. Removing the safety operator from the driver's seat represents a further technical and operational breakthrough, but the vehicles continue to operate within prescribed areas and under remote supervision.
Key information about CaoCao's Robotaxi testing:
- Test location: Public roads in Hangzhou's Binjiang District
- Operating model: Station-triggered dispatch, not fully open service
- Technical level: No in-vehicle safety operator, remote monitoring
- Regulatory basis: Approved in April as Hangzhou's first mobility company for driverless ICV testing
Remote Safety System: Full-Chain Protection via RAS Cloud Platform
Every test vehicle is connected to CaoCao's RAS remote safety platform, which serves as the cloud-based safety and operating center for its Robotaxi fleet. The platform monitors vehicles throughout each journey and handles emergency calls, real-time remote assistance, and responses to abnormal situations. This remote support layer does not continuously drive the vehicles but provides human oversight and intervention capabilities when assistance is required.
CaoCao received regulatory approval in April to become Hangzhou's first mobility company authorized to test intelligent connected vehicles without onboard safety operators. The latest announcement marks the start of testing under that authorization.
| Safety Measure | Implementation | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Remote monitoring | RAS cloud platform full journey tracking | Real-time vehicle status awareness |
| Emergency response | Emergency calls + remote assistance | Human intervention for abnormal situations |
| Operating boundaries | Prescribed areas + station-triggered dispatch | Controlling risk scope |
| Regulatory compliance | Official test permit | Legal road testing authorization |
Three stages of Robotaxi development in China:
- Testing with onboard safety operator: Validating basic autonomous driving capabilities
- Testing without safety operator under remote monitoring: Validating independent system stability (current stage)
- Full commercial operation opening: Providing regular service to the public
Industry Observation: The Distance from Testing to Commercial Operation
CaoCao's test represents an important milestone in China's Robotaxi industry development. As a key component of the Geely ecosystem, CaoCao leverages Geely's accumulated technology in vehicle manufacturing and intelligent driving, giving it unique advantages in the Robotaxi赛道.
For observers in markets such as Central Asia and Russia, the progress of China's Robotaxi carries forward-looking reference value. Smart mobility infrastructure construction is accelerating in these markets, and regulatory frameworks for autonomous driving technology are gradually improving. Chinese companies' experience in testing scale, technology routes, and regulatory coordination can provide valuable lessons for other markets. For the latest global intelligent driving developments, visit EX1000.COM.
