- Geely has previewed their upcoming robotaxi.
- It’s set to begin commercial operations next year.
- Prototype has a luxurious interior and LiDAR.
Geely, Afari Technology, and CaoCao Mobility have joined forces to unveil China’s first purpose-built robotaxi prototype at the Beijing Auto Show. Dubbed the EVA Cab, it previews a Level 4 autonomous vehicle that is planned for mass production and commercial operation in 2027.
Looking kinda like a modern day version of the Fiat Multipla, the EVA Cab has a shark nose front end, high-mounted headlights, and an integrated messaging board. The futuristic design continues further back as the MPV has streamlined bodywork and electric sliding doors with flush-mounted handles.
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They’re joined by plastic cladding, gloss black accents, and an expansive greenhouse. We can also see aerodynamically optimized wheels and a rounded rear end complete with a sizable spoiler and another messaging board.
Geely didn’t show much of the interior and the translated audio sounds like it came from a submarine stationed in the middle of the Pacific. That’s unfortunate, but the company mentioned a “face-to-face cabin layout that seamlessly blends sophisticated aesthetics with maximized interior space.”
The vehicle appears to seat four people and there’s a sizable console between the primary seats. The front seats apparently fold away when not needed, maximizing legroom. We can also see a glass “Galaxy Skyroof” and what appears to be a retractable display.
Geely went on to mention “Drifting Galaxy” door panels and solid wood trim, which is something you don’t typically find in a robotaxi. There’s also an AI assistant that enables users to easily interact with the vehicle.
Technical details are sparse, but Geely said the robotaxi has the “world’s first quantum-level AI electronic and electrical architecture, the world’s first 2160-line digital LiDAR system, and the industry’s first mass-production-ready L4-level assisted driving software solution.” The EVA Cab also uses three flagship chips – the NVIDIA SuperChip, NVIDIA Thor U, and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8397 – to deliver a “combined computing power exceeding 3,000 TOPS.”
Technobabble aside, Geely said the LiDAR system has ultra-high imaging capabilities of 25.92 million points per second and a detection range of up to 1,969 feet (600 meters). This should ensure the vehicle is well-aware of its surroundings.
