Chinese companies are expanding globally and rapidly. Its biggest commercial competitors are in the United States.

Waymo, Alphabet’s robotaxi business, remains the commercial leader, operating paid driverless services in several US cities. Zoox and Amazon-owned Tesla are expanding more cautiously, while Uber has abandoned development of its own autonomous vehicles, which was marred by a fatal crash in 2018.

Uber and its ride-hailing rival Lyft are now partnering with Chinese companies.

That automatically gives them “access to millions of customers that they wouldn’t have if they created their own app,” says Tu Le, founder of consulting firm Sino Auto Insights.

“Through these partnerships, they can market and expand their reach.”

Although Chinese companies can manufacture cheaply, Waymo has spent years gaining experience in customer service and application technology.

“Having experienced Waymo, WeRides, and Ponys… I have to say that Waymo’s user experience is much better than all the other competitors. I feel like Waymo is really becoming a standard mode of transportation for California,” says Tu Le.

Perceptions also differ between markets.

In the United States, unions have warned that robotaxis could displace taxi, delivery and freight drivers.

Chinese authorities present automation as a remedy for reducing their workforce, but government censorship of dissenting voices makes it difficult to assess the opinions of the general population.

President Xi Jinping has promoted artificial intelligence and robotics as part of China’s drive to develop “new quality productive forces,” which will create jobs and drive economic growth.

And that’s why there are incentives and impetus for companies to invest in technology and expand.

One of the industry’s arguments is that autonomous vehicles could improve mobility for people who cannot easily drive themselves.

“If we can reduce the cost of a robotaxi ride so that it is as cheap – or maybe even cheaper – than calling an Uber with a normal driver, then it really helps expand mobility,” Le says. “Elderly people, disabled people – these robotaxis really allow them a lot more ability to travel.”