Chinese tech firm Baidu introduces steering wheel-free autonomous car

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - China-based search engine giant Baidu unveiled its new generation autonomous car, named Apollo RT6, which can function without a steering wheel.

The car with a detachable steering wheel offers more space allowing for other options such as extra seats, gaming consoles, or coffee machine, Baidu announced on Thursday during its technology event.

The car's production cost is announced as 250,000 Chinese yuans ($37,000), around half of the cost of the previous autonomous car project of the firm.

Referring to the low production cost, CEO Robin Li said the massive reduction in the production costs will enable the firm to deploy tens of thousands of autonomous cars across China.

"We are moving towards a future where taking a robotaxi will be half the cost of taking a taxi today," he added.

The CEO added that Apollo RT6 will reduce taxi fees thanks to its driverless system.