Volvo cars and Didi partner for Self-driving test fleet

Volvo Cars and Didi are now collaborating on autonomous vehicles for DiDi’s self-driving test fleet.

Volvo Cars will provide DiDi with XC90 cars. These cars are equipped with backup systems for functions such as steering and braking. Volvo cars with work with the DiDi Autonomous Driving platform to integrate the software and hardware for autonomous drive, notes the announcement.

Volvo Cars Chief Executive, Håkan Samuelsson, said, "This strategic collaboration with DiDi Autonomous Driving is further validation of our ambition to be the partner of choice to the world’s leading ride-hailing companies. Combining DiDi’s expanding robotaxi programme with our safe cars creates a great match to build trust among consumers for autonomous ride-hailing."

CEO of DiDi Autonomous Driving and CTO of Didi Chuxing, Bob Zhang, said, "In expanding partnerships with global automotive industry leaders, we believe shared, electric and autonomous vehicle networks will be crucial for future urban transport systems to achieve the highest safety and sustainability standards.DiDi Gemini, our new self-driving hardware platform incorporates critical hardware improvements from our test passenger service operations in Shanghai. With Volvo Cars’ leadership in safety, we look forward to achieving new milestones towards future autonomous transport services."

Volvo Cars already provided DiDi with Volvo XC60s for use in Shanghai’s first pilot robotaxi programme. Didi Gemini is DiDi's Autonomous Driving self-driving hardware platform. Volvo's XC90 cars will be the first to integrate the DiDi Gemini platform.

Volvo Cars and DiDi Autonomous Driving platform partnership will lead to the expansion of autonomous test fleets across China and the US. It will also help in scaling Didi's commercial robotaxi operations.

With this partnership, Volvo Cars’ is positioning itself preferred provider for self-driving fleets, notes the announcement.