CaoCao to deploy 100 robotaxis in Shanghai

CaoCao Inc. said on May 15 it had signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Shanghai International Automobile City (Group) Co., Ltd. to advance commercial robotaxi operations in Shanghai. The company said it plans to deploy 100 robotaxis in 2026 in the area and will set up a wholly owned subsidiary in the core zone of Shanghai International Automobile City. The initial focus is Shanghai’s Jiading District, according to company statements carried by Globe Newswire and Chinese auto industry outlet Gasgoo. The agreement gives CaoCao a defined operating base in one of Shanghai’s main intelligent-connected-vehicle clusters. Shanghai International Automobile City said it would help connect CaoCao with local innovation resources tied to intelligent vehicles, while CaoCao said the arrangement would support future robotaxi commercialization. The companies announced the deal after signing on May 14. (finance.yahoo.com) ### What exactly did CaoCao and Shanghai sign? On May 14, CaoCao and Shanghai International Automobile City signed what the companies described as a strategic cooperation agreement. CaoCao said the pact covers the commercialization of robotaxi services and includes the creation of a wholly owned subsidiary in the core area of Shanghai International Automobile City. (finance.yahoo.com) Shanghai International Automobile City is based in Jiading, a district that has been used by automakers and technology companies as a testing and development base for connected and autonomous vehicles. In the company statements, the Shanghai partner said it would support CaoCao in linking with the city’s intelligent-connected-vehicle ecosystem. ### Where will the first 100 robotaxis go? (finance.yahoo.com) Jiading District is the named center of the first deployment. CaoCao said it plans to place 100 robotaxis in the area during 2026 and to use Jiading as a base for wider rollout and scaled deployment in Shanghai. The 100-vehicle figure is the most specific near-term target disclosed in the announcement. (compuserve.com) The company did not say in the May 15 statement when passenger service would begin, what fare model it would use, or which autonomous-driving system supplier would power the Shanghai fleet. ### How does this fit into Geely’s robotaxi plan? (finance.yahoo.com) CaoCao is part of Geely Holding Group’s mobility operations and has been presented in recent company materials as Geely’s main commercial platform for robotaxi operations. In January, CaoCao said it aimed to deploy 100,000 purpose-built robotaxis by 2030 and launch large-scale commercial operations globally. (finance.yahoo.com) Gasgoo reported in April that CaoCao described itself as Geely’s primary platform for robotaxi commercialization. Separate recent reports said the company unveiled the Eva Cab, a purpose-built robotaxi developed with Geely, as part of a broader autonomous-mobility push. ### What details are still missing from the Shanghai rollout? CaoCao’s May 15 announcement did not disclose a launch date for rider operations, the exact service zone boundaries inside Jiading, or whether the first vehicles would run with safety operators. (acnnewswire.com) The statement also did not specify regulatory approvals already obtained for commercial service in Shanghai. (autonews.gasgoo.com) The company’s public statements focused instead on local incorporation, the 100-vehicle deployment target and access to Shanghai’s intelligent-vehicle resources. That leaves several operating details to be announced later, including vehicle model, software stack and the timetable for expansion beyond Jiading. ### What happens next in Shanghai? In 2026, CaoCao said it will establish the Jiading-area subsidiary and deploy 100 robotaxis in the Shanghai International Automobile City zone. (finance.yahoo.com) Shanghai International Automobile City said it will provide support connecting the company with local intelligent-connected-vehicle resources as the project moves forward. (compuserve.com)