By Fatou Sillah
On March 27, 2024, our team of international reporters received exclusive entry to Baidu Apollo Park in Beijing. This cutting-edge facility focuses on AI and smart transportation technologies, offering a detailed glimpse into Baidu’s strides in autonomous driving and its wider implications for the transportation industry.
Guiding us through the tour, company officials assert that Baidu, a prominent global player in AI, has been at the forefront of autonomous driving research since 2013, saying, “Baidu is a global leader in AI and has been actively involved in autonomous driving research since 2013, with the launch of its Apollo platform in 2017 marking a significant milestone in the field.”
During the tour, we gained insightful knowledge regarding Baidu’s comprehensive AI solution, which encompasses AI chips, software architectures, and specialized program applications tailored for autonomous driving and smart transportation.
Officials informed us that Baidu Apollo has solidified its position as a leader in AI-powered transportation solutions, boasting over 210 global ecological partners, 80,000 developers, and a vast repository of open-source code. At the heart of this endeavor lies Beijing Yizhuang Apollo Park, a remarkable testament to Baidu’s dedication to innovation. This park stands as the world’s largest test site for autonomous driving and V2X collaboration applications.
Apollo Go, Baidu’s autonomous driving service, has garnered attention for its deployment in multiple Chinese cities, providing a glimpse into the future of urban mobility. Baidu’s integration of leading AI technologies across various fields, including autonomous driving, intelligent cars, and smart transportation, underscores the company’s holistic approach to addressing transportation challenges.
Our visit left our cohort of foreign journalists deeply impressed by Baidu’s AI achievements. We recognized its potential to revolutionize the transportation landscape, cementing Baidu’s role as a trailblazer in AI innovation and its commitment to shaping a smarter, safer, and more connected future through technology.