DiDi launches R2 driverless service tests in China
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Republished by Newlife - MIM. All rights belong to the original publisher; see Source below.
DiDi Autonomous Driving has launched fully driverless service trials of the DiDi Robotaxi R2 across selected demonstration areas in Beijing and Guangzhou, marking the commercial deployment of a level 4 vehicle developed jointly with GAC Aion. The R2 is available for public booking via the DiDi App in both cities.
The R2 carries 33 sensors and a triple-domain fusion central computing platform, with multi-layer redundancy and five-star safety compliance under both C-NCAP and Euro NCAP standards. It is purpose-built for robotaxi operation and designed for global deployment.
The cabin prioritises rear passenger space, with high-angle adjustable seats and a 17.3-inch ceiling-mounted entertainment screen. An AI voice interaction system handles PIN verification, trip start, climate control, window operation and ambient lighting without requiring physical controls.
The R2 entered public-road testing in Guangzhou, Beijing and Shenzhen following its delivery in January 2026. DiDi Autonomous Driving ran a 24/7 fully driverless pilot in Guangzhou from December 2025, providing operational precedent for the trials now extending to Beijing.
Deploying a purpose-built level 4 vehicle across two Chinese megacities simultaneously represents a meaningful step beyond supervised testing. Designing the R2 specifically for robotaxi use, rather than adapting an existing platform, signals that DiDi Autonomous Driving considers the commercial and regulatory conditions in China mature enough to justify dedicated vehicle investment.
Source
- Automotive World (2026-08-31) - Original article: DiDi launches R2 driverless service tests in China