Baidu unveils autonomous vehicle without steering wheel
The Hindu
The new vehicle will possess autonomous Level 4 capabilities that need no human intervention
China’s search engine giant Baidu Inc on Thursday unveiled its new autonomous vehicle (AV) with a detachable steering wheel, with plans to put it to use for its robotaxi service in China next year.
(Sign up to our Technology newsletter, Today’s Cache, for insights on emerging themes at the intersection of technology, business and policy. Click here to subscribe for free.)
Cost per unit will drop to 250,000 yuan ($37,031.55) for the new model, compared with 480,000 yuan for the previous generation, Baidu said in a statement.
“This massive cost reduction will enable us to deploy tens of thousands of AVs across China,” Baidu’s chief executive Robin Li said at the Baidu World conference. “We are moving towards a future where taking a robotaxi will be half the cost of taking a taxi today.”
The new vehicle will possess autonomous Level 4 capabilities that need no human intervention, with 8 lidars and 12 cameras alongside the car. Lidars are detection systems, similar to radars, which use pulsed laser light rather than radio waves.
The company did not disclose the manufacturer for the new model.
Tesla’s chief executive Elon Musk said in a conference with investors in April that the company aims to start mass production of its robotaxi without a steering wheel or pedals in 2024, and predicted that a robotaxi ride will cost less than a bus ticket.
RBI plans ₹1 lakh crore OMO in December to boost liquidity amid upcoming tax payments, ensuring stability in the banking system.
IndiGo faces ongoing flight delays and cancellations due to technology issues, weather, and new crew rostering rules.
Stock markets experience volatility as investors await RBI's monetary policy amid foreign fund outflows and mixed global trends.
ED attaches assets worth ₹1,120 crore in Anil Ambani's Reliance Group case, totaling ₹10,000 crore amid money laundering probe.
Rupee rises 20 paise to 89.69 against the dollar as investors await RBI's monetary policy decision amidst market pressures.
Just nine Fugitive Economic Offenders (FEOs) owed Indian banks over ₹58,000 crore in principal and interest. To date, banks have recovered just over ₹19,000 crore — roughly 33% of the total dues.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urges Indian businesses to seize opportunities in Russia's market, addressing talent shortages and trade demands.
Premiumisation is driving the growth in beauty and personal care industry in India and this segment is growing faster than the products made for the masses, industry executives said at Cosmoprof India 2025, a beauty & personal care industry event currently underway in Mumbai.
Scaling Artificial Intelligence(AI) at the speed at which consultants project is not possible by the laws of physics and may not be environmentally sustainable, said Tanvir Khan, who is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of NTT DATA North America, part of the Japanese technology services and data centre company NTT Data, in an interview with The Hindu.
The Rupee appreciated by 19 paise to close at 89.96 against the U.S. dollar amid weak dollar index support.
India aims to expand its tea exports to China, highlighting diverse varieties like Darjeeling and Masala at a recent buyer-seller meet.
Stock markets rebound after four days of decline as Sensex rises 158 points, driven by tech and IT shares.
India reduces Russian oil imports by 38% in October 2025, marking the sharpest decline in value and volume yet.