Are you looking for information about IAA TRANSPORTATION 2026 in Hannover? You can find more details here.

    IAA TRANSPORTATIONIAA MOBILITY

    DiDi Autonomous Driving: Robotaxi R2 Fleet Begins Real-World Testing

    An autonomous SUV drives through a city with modern buildings in the background.An autonomous SUV drives through a city with modern buildings in the background.An autonomous SUV drives through a city with modern buildings in the background.An autonomous SUV drives through a city with modern buildings in the background.An autonomous SUV drives through a city with modern buildings in the background.An autonomous SUV drives through a city with modern buildings in the background.An autonomous SUV drives through a city with modern buildings in the background.An autonomous SUV drives through a city with modern buildings in the background.

    Technology

    DiDi Autonomous Driving: Robotaxi R2 Fleet Begins Real-World Testing

    Bild (c) DiDi Global

    News
    from January 30, 2026

    The Chinese mobility service provider DiDi Global is scaling its autonomous mobility efforts with the recent rollout of its first Robotaxi R2 fleet, which has now begun testing on public roads. Developed by DiDi Autonomous Driving (DiDi’s self-driving subsidiary) in partnership with Chinese automaker GAC Aion, these vehicles are designed to showcase the current state of robotaxi technology in real-world operations.

    The Chinese mobility service provider DiDi Global is scaling its autonomous mobility efforts with the recent rollout of its first Robotaxi R2 fleet, which has now begun testing on public roads. Developed by DiDi Autonomous Driving (DiDi’s self-driving subsidiary) in partnership with Chinese automaker GAC Aion, these vehicles are designed to showcase the current state of robotaxi technology in real-world operations.

    News
    from January 30, 2026
    An autonomous SUV drives through a city with modern buildings in the background.
    (c) DiDi Global

    Robotaxi R2: Technology and Objectives 

    The "R2" model is based on the production Aion V SUV and features a comprehensive sensor suite consisting of 33 sensors, including LiDAR units, 4D millimeter-wave radar, cameras, infrared sensors, and audio systems. Powering the vehicle is a central AI compute platform delivering over 2,000 TOPS of GPU performance, designed to process massive amounts of data in real time. The fleet has already received approval for road testing in Guangzhou, with plans for a phased rollout of demonstration pilots in Beijing and other major cities.

    A man sits in the backseat of a self-driving car, using a tablet while the car drives itself.
    (c) DiDi Global

    Strategic Importance and Outlook

    This is not DiDi Autonomous Driving's first foray into the space; the company previously launched 24/7 driverless taxi trials in Guangzhou, allowing users to hail autonomous rides via the DiDi app. The R2 project builds on that foundation, marking a transition from early prototypes to large-scale demonstration applications and potential commercial use cases. The partnership between DiDi and GAC Aion is a key pillar of a broader strategy to move autonomous mobility out of the lab and into active transit networks. By integrating local manufacturing, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and fleet operations, the companies aim to build a widely accessible robotaxi fleet in the coming years.

    Further articles