Volvo and DiDi to collaborate on autonomous driving

Volvo Cars and DiDi Autonomous Driving, the self-driving technology arm of Didi Chuxing, have signed a strategic collaboration agreement on autonomous vehicles for DiDi’s self-driving test fleet.

Volvo Cars will provide DiDi with XC90 cars equipped with necessary backup systems for functions such as steering and braking. It will collaborate with DiDi Autonomous Driving to integrate the additional software and hardware required to make it fully ready for autonomous drive.

New platform

The XC90 cars will be the first to integrate DiDi Gemini, DiDi Autonomous Driving’s new self-driving hardware platform, and are intended to be deployed for ride-hailing in DiDi’s network in the future.

The built-in backup systems and safety features on the XC90s, combined with DiDi Autonomous Driving’s advanced self-driving system, will eventually allow the cars to operate without safety drivers in robotaxi services.

Long-term partnership

Building on the recent agreement, Volvo Cars, and DiDi Autonomous Driving look to build a long-term partnership as DiDi continues to expand its autonomous test fleets across China and the US and scales up its commercial robotaxi operations.

As one of the world’s leading shared mobility technology platforms, DiDi uses its expertise in network operation and a large bank of real-world driving data to develop commercial autonomous transportation services by collaborating with the world’s premium carmakers.

Already collaborating

In 2020, Volvo Cars provided DiDi with Volvo XC60s for Shanghai’s first pilot robotaxi program. People in certain areas of Shanghai could book trips by robotaxi in the DiDi app and be driven autonomously while a safety driver and engineer monitored the cars.

“This new strategic collaboration with DiDi Autonomous Driving is further validation of our ambition to be the partner of choice to the world’s leading ride-hailing companies,” said Håkan Samuelsson, Volvo Cars’ chief executive.

“Combining DiDi’s expanding robotaxi program with our safe cars creates a great match to build trust among consumers for autonomous ride-hailing,” he added.

Crucial networks

“In expanding partnerships with global automotive industry leaders, we believe shared, electric, and autonomous vehicle networks will be crucial for future urban transport systems to achieve the highest safety and sustainability standards,” said Bob Zhang, CEO of DiDi Autonomous Driving and CTO of Didi Chuxing.

“DiDi Gemini, our new self-driving hardware platform incorporates critical hardware improvements from our test passenger service operations in Shanghai. With Volvo Cars’ leadership in safety, we look forward to achieving new milestones toward future autonomous transport services.”