Lotus Robotics, the autonomous driving division of Lotus, has joined forces with CaoCao Mobility, a ride-hailing company backed by Geely Holding, to accelerate the global deployment of self-driving solutions. Through this collaboration, they have launched what they claim to be China’s first fully comprehensive autonomous driving system, powered by Lotus Robotics. This innovative system integrates a specially designed vehicle, fully autonomous driving capabilities, and automated operations.

The two companies have already conducted a successful pilot program in Suzhou and Hangzhou, China. Over the course of the trial, the self-driving technology covered an impressive 13,545 kilometers in designated test zones without human intervention. This milestone highlights the real-world safety and reliability of Lotus Robotics’ software and services.

Following the pilot’s success, Lotus Robotics and CaoCao Mobility will continue their operations in these cities, focusing on refining their vehicle-road-cloud integration model. By enhancing the interaction between vehicle intelligence and infrastructure, they aim to tackle common challenges such as unexpected pedestrian crossings and other unpredictable urban scenarios.

This announcement coincides with Lotus Robotics’ recent partnership with Aramco Digital, a subsidiary of Saudi Aramco. Together, they are exploring the possibility of deploying robotaxi services in the Middle East, further expanding the reach of Lotus Robotics’ autonomous driving solutions.

Lotus Robotics is actively scaling its operations globally, offering a comprehensive suite of autonomous driving software and services. Its goal is to enable businesses to safely, efficiently, and securely integrate self-driving technology into their operations. The company’s key offerings include:

• Robo Soul: A complete self-driving software stack designed to be adaptable to any vehicle and environment. Currently, it provides an end-to-end solution with up to Level 4 autonomy, allowing vehicles to handle complex tasks like highway driving and parking, while still permitting human intervention if needed. Elements of Robo Soul are already being utilized in Lotus’ latest electric vehicles, including the hyper-SUV Eletre and the hyper-GT Emeya.

• Robo Galaxy: A cloud-based suite of tools that supports Robo Soul by enabling businesses to manage and analyze data effectively. It collects information from multiple sources, such as sensors and road conditions, allowing the system to continuously learn and enhance its autonomous capabilities.

• Robo Matrix: A real-time monitoring system designed to enhance remote safety. It provides features like guidance, control, and parallel driving solutions while leveraging AI to improve safety and accuracy through continuous learning.

Lotus Robotics has also made significant advancements in its self-driving technology, including:

• Urban road navigation without reliance on maps – known as Navigate on Autopilot (NOA), this system enables smooth transitions between highways and city streets, smart lane changes, U-turns, and obstacle avoidance.

• High-precision navigation – allowing seamless movement between urban roads and highways while optimizing lane selection and overall driving efficiency.

These technologies are already operational in China, with a global rollout planned for Q4 2025. The level of autonomy offered in different regions will depend on local regulatory requirements.

Lotus Robotics has partnered with several major global automotive brands, including Lynk & Co and Farizon Auto, to help them harness the benefits of autonomous driving technology. To support its expansion and provide seamless service across markets, the company relies on Amazon Web Services (AWS) for data storage and analysis, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations.

Meanwhile, CaoCao Mobility has established itself as a leading ride-hailing service in China, operating in over 57 cities. With a customer base of more than seven million professionals and partnerships with 35,000 businesses, it is well-positioned to integrate and scale autonomous mobility solutions in the country.

By combining their expertise, Lotus Robotics and CaoCao Mobility are poised to drive the future of autonomous ride-hailing in China and beyond.