Shanghai (ZXZC)- Chinese self-driving car tech company AutoX struck a deal on August 20 with Letzgo, a Shanghai-based major taxi fleet operator, to jointly build autonomous driving fleets for the scale pilot application of self-driving technology nationwide and develop Chinese-spec solution of Robotaxi platform.

(Photo source: AutoX)

The newly-formed cooperation between the autonomous driving tech startup and taxi fleet operator portends a significant shift in China's autonomous driving development to commercial application from road testing, two companies said at the signing ceremony.

Xiao Jianxiong, founder and CEO of AutoX, said the company strives to offer affordable and accessible autonomous driving service for the general public and the ultimate goal of the collaboration with Letzgo is to let technologies serve the wellbeing of people.

Under the agreement, both parties will jointly launch pilot Robotaxi service in Shanghai first. To be specific, Letzgo will provide its fleet for AutoX collecting autonomous driving data, while the self-driving tech startup offers its autonomous driving technology platform. The cooperation will enable a passenger who makes an order via Letzgo's App to enjoy a Robotaxi ride within designated areas.

Launched in March 2016, Letzgo is a mobility service platform owned by Dazhong Transportation (Group) Co.,Ltd., offering a string of services using taxi andchauffeur-driven premium vehicles, and the services tailor-made for government and enterprise businesses. As of now, it has rolled out services in a total of 18 cities including Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Tianjin.

AutoX has been given green lights to conduct autonomous car road tests in three Chinese first-tier cities—Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen. It announced on August 17 the public launch of its Robotaxi service in Jiading District, Shanghai, starting with a fleet of 100 vehicles. Rides can be booked through AutoNavi, the mapping and transportation-booking app owned by Alibaba, one of the startup's investors.