Geely's CaoCao Unlocks Unmanned Robotaxi Testing in Hangzhou

HANGZHOU, China – April 02, 2026 – CaoCao Inc., the mobility arm of automotive giant Geely Holding Group, announced it has received regulatory approval to begin fully unmanned road testing for its Robotaxi fleet in Hangzhou. The authorization, granted on April 1, makes CaoCao the first company to reach this milestone in the city, signaling a significant escalation in China's fiercely competitive autonomous vehicle race.

This move allows the company to transition from tests requiring a safety driver in the vehicle to truly driverless operations on public roads. It marks a pivotal moment for CaoCao's technological development and accelerates its strategic shift towards becoming a leader in unmanned mobility services, pitting it directly against established players like Baidu's Apollo Go and WeRide.

A New Phase in Autonomous Operations

The approval ushers in a new phase for CaoCao’s Robotaxi 2.0 solution, which was first unveiled in December 2025. The company's strategy is built on a comprehensive “three-in-one” development model: integrating intelligent purpose-built vehicles, advanced intelligent driving technology, and a sophisticated intelligent operations platform. This holistic approach is designed to create a vertically integrated ecosystem that is both scalable and economically viable.

Currently, CaoCao’s Robotaxi fleet in Hangzhou numbers over 100 vehicles, and the company has stated its intention to expand both the fleet size and its operational areas. The transition to unmanned testing is a critical step in proving the maturity and safety of its autonomous driving systems before seeking approval for commercial deployment.

This progress is set against a backdrop of tightening national regulations. China has been actively formalizing its autonomous driving standards, with mandatory “black box” data recorders (DSSAD) for autonomous vehicles coming into force in January 2026. Furthermore, new national safety standards for Level 3 and Level 4 autonomous systems are set to be implemented by July 2027, requiring systems to perform safely without human intervention and manage risks independently, underscoring the high bar for safety and reliability.

The Geely-Powered Engine for Global Ambition

Underpinning CaoCao's rapid advancement is the formidable strength of its parent, Geely Holding Group. Positioned as the “most critical commercial vehicle for Robotaxi” under Geely, CaoCao benefits from deep integration with one of the world's largest automakers. This synergy is most evident in the joint development of fully purpose-built Robotaxis, which are scheduled to debut later this year and enter mass production in the first half of 2027. Unlike retrofitted vehicles, these are designed from the ground up for autonomous operation, with tightly integrated hardware and software.

Geely's financial and strategic backing is also crucial. In January 2026, CaoCao secured a private placement of approximately $49.1 million, with 68% of the proceeds explicitly earmarked for its Robotaxi business. This investment fuels an aggressive expansion roadmap that extends far beyond Hangzhou.

CaoCao plans to expand to more domestic cities this year while simultaneously exploring international markets, including Hong Kong and the Middle East, where it has already established a presence in Abu Dhabi. The company’s ultimate goal is to deploy a staggering 100,000 vehicles by 2030 and launch commercial operations globally, leveraging Geely's worldwide network to replicate its operational model in new markets.

Navigating a Crowded and Cautious Field

While CaoCao's milestone in Hangzhou is significant, it enters a fiercely contested national market. Baidu's Apollo Go service already operates in around 20 Chinese cities and delivered over 3 million rides in the third quarter of 2025 alone. However, the path to mass deployment is fraught with challenges, as highlighted by a recent incident in Wuhan where a reported system failure caused over 100 Baidu robotaxis to stop mid-route, causing traffic disruptions and raising public safety questions.

Other major competitors include WeRide, which boasts a global fleet of over 1,000 vehicles and has achieved fully driverless commercial operations in cities like Guangzhou and Abu Dhabi. WeRide has reported that its Abu Dhabi operations are nearing single-vehicle profitability, benefiting from higher local fares that are difficult to achieve in the highly competitive Chinese market. Pony.ai and EV maker Xpeng are also making significant strides, underscoring the intense pressure to innovate and scale quickly.

Globally, the market is poised for explosive growth. Projections value the Robotaxi sector at over $5.3 billion in 2026, with forecasts soaring to more than $262 billion by 2033. While the Asia Pacific region has led in adoption, Europe is expected to become the largest market this year, driven by strong regulatory support.

Engineering an End-to-End Ecosystem

To differentiate itself and ensure operational efficiency, CaoCao is building more than just cars and software. The company has launched the world's first Green Intelligent Mobility Hub in Hangzhou, a state-of-the-art facility that provides comprehensive, automated support for the Robotaxi fleet. This hub integrates services like automated battery swapping, robotic cleaning and tidying, intelligent dispatching, and automated settlement, minimizing downtime and human intervention.

Further enhancing safety and user experience is the “CaoCao Smart Mobility RAS remote safety service platform.” This command center is already in operation, providing real-time remote assistance and full-process safety monitoring for all Robotaxi journeys. Should a vehicle encounter an unexpected scenario it cannot navigate, a remote operator can provide assistance, ensuring a continuous and safe passenger experience.

This focus on the complete operational lifecycle—from vehicle maintenance to remote oversight—is central to CaoCao's plan to deploy its services at scale. The company plans to roll out these integrated hubs across five to six Chinese cities in 2026, creating a robust backbone for its expanding fleet.

Going forward, CaoCao will continue to work closely with Geely Holding Group to accelerate the development of its purpose-built vehicles. With a clear roadmap for technological development, operational support, and aggressive global expansion, the company is positioning itself not just to compete, but to become a defining force in the next generation of urban transportation.