More and more self-driving taxis in China, drivers fear for their jobs

The development of self-driving vehicles is one of the biggest breakthroughs in the automotive industry in the last decade. China, one of the world's largest car markets, is placing particular emphasis on the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles. Recently, self-driving taxi services have become increasingly popular in the country's major cities, but the rapid expansion has sparked not only enthusiasm but also concerns among drivers and passengers, which have been reported in the Chinese and world press.

Autonomous vehicles, especially robotic taxis, are playing a growing role in transforming transportation in China.

Leading Chinese tech companies Baidu and Pony.ai have been developing self-driving vehicles for years, and have recently launched their robotaxi services in several cities. These services allow passengers to order a self-driving car through an app that takes them to their destination without a human driver.

Cab drivers' concerns

The rise of autonomous vehicles has raised serious concerns among drivers of traditional taxis and ride-hailing services. Many fear they could lose their jobs with the rise of self-driving taxis, which could replace human drivers in the long term.

While autonomous vehicles are currently an ancillary service and will not completely replace traditional vehicles, the future of drivers remains uncertain.

Another concern for drivers is that the introduction of self-driving taxis in transport will mean serious competition for them. Autonomous vehicles may cost less to operate, giving technology companies a competitive advantage. Drivers fear that robo-taxis could reduce demand for human-driven taxis and transport services, which could threaten their livelihoods.

China's future plans include the widespread introduction of autonomous vehicles, and government support is pointing in that direction. However, the uptake of self-driving taxi services is not just a technological issue, but will also have a major social and economic impact on the country. For this change to be seamless, regulation, technological developments and support from the workers involved are essential.