China wants metaverse users to have traceable IDs

In a bold move that has ignited discussions around the globe, China is considering the expansion of its real-world social credit system into the realm of virtual online worlds and metaverses.

The controversial proposal, titled "Digital Identity System," has been crafted by the state-owned telecom giant China Mobile and reviewed by experts—raising concerns among digital privacy advocates.

Under the proposed system, each individual using a virtual online platform or...

22 August 2023 | Metaverse

DiDi is di-veloping its own robotaxis

Chinese ride-hailing company DiDi Global is collaborating with Chinese carmakers to develop robotaxis.

DiDi is developing the robotaxis with multiple car manufacturers, including electric vehicle makers, and is aiming to begin putting them into service by 2025.

The company plans for the new vehicles to be domestically produced, with controllable supply chains and key components that are produced nationally.

A robotaxi concept was showcased by DiDi called Neuron...

14 April 2023 | Connected Vehicles

Beijing lifts restrictions on DiDi ridesharing service

DiDi Chuxing’s difficulties may be coming to an end as Beijing lifts restrictions on the ridesharing service.

Beijing targeted DiDi after the company raised $4 billion from selling its shares on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). In the days following the listing, Beijing launched a data security probe into DiDi on the basis that it was “illegally collecting user data”.

Amid increased US-China tensions, Beijing has sought to clamp down on Chinese firms listing in...

17 January 2023 | Applications

Industrial robots increase unemployment and lower wages

Research from China justifies concerns about the impact of industrial robots on the workforce.

Critics of automation believe it will replace many predominately blue-collar jobs. Proponents of industrial robots argue that new jobs will be created and the workforce will adapt.

At least in the short term, a paper from China backs the critics.

The paper, How Do Workers And Households Adjust To Robots, analysed the effects of exposure to industrial robots on labour...

6 December 2022 | Industrial IoT (IIoT)

China to hit mobility giant Didi with a $1B fine

Chinese authorities are set to hit mobility giant Didi with a $1 billion fine, a move that could end a torrid period for the firm.

Didi has been in the spotlight of the Chinese government after the company raised $4 billion from selling its stocks in New York.

Beijing launched a data security probe into Didi in the days after its New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listing; claiming that it was “illegally collecting user data”. However, both the country’s regulators and...

20 July 2022 | Connected Vehicles

Baidu wants to deploy robotaxis in 100 cities by 2030

Chinese tech giant Baidu has set out plans to deploy robotaxis in 100 cities by 2030.

Baidu’s first target is to cover 65 cities by 2025, followed by a further 35 cities by 2030.

The roadmap was unveiled by CEO and Co-Founder Robin Li during Baidu’s Q4 2021 earnings call.

Revenues from Baidu Core increased 21 percent year-over-year in 2021, driven by a 71 percent increase in non-advertising revenue–showing the company is finding success away from its...

2 March 2022 | Connected Vehicles

AutoX wins the race to build China’s first Level 4 robotaxi production line

Alibaba-backed AutoX has won the race to build the first Level 4 robotaxi production line in China.

Level 4 “mind off” driverless vehicles are fully autonomous and can handle complex urban driving situations. However, a human driver must be available and in a fit state to take control if required. If the human driver does not respond appropriately to a request to intervene, a Level 4 vehicle must be capable of pulling over safely.

AutoX has gained international...

22 December 2021 | Connected Vehicles

Haier gets a hand from Huawei and China Mobile to build smart factories

China’s largest consumer electronics producer, Haier, is getting a helping hand from Huawei and China Mobile to build smart factories.

The trio of industry titans announced the successful combination of 5G and mobile edge computing (MEC) to deliver innovative manufacturing solutions.

5G offers bandwidth of up to 20Gbps while lowering latency to as little as one millisecond. MEC further lowers latency, improves security, and enables new applications by supporting...

15 November 2021 | 5G

Didi halts plans to launch its robotaxis in the UK and Europe

Didi has decided to halt its plans to deploy robotaxis across the UK and Western Europe.

The Chinese tech giant intended to offer its services in major cities around the region as part of significant expansion plans.

While it hasn’t disclosed the reason for its decision, it likely has something to do with the increased pressure it’s facing from both Beijing and Western governments.

Didi has been targeted by Chinese authorities following its $4.4 billion...

24 August 2021 | Connected Vehicles

Di-nied: Chinese ride-hailing giant DiDi denies it’s going private

Chinese ride-hailing giant DiDi has denied a report that it’s considering going private to appease the country’s authorities.

Shares in DiDi (DIDI) spiked by around eight percent following the report from the Wall Street Journal as investors bet on a smoother ride for DiDi going forward.

DiDi, which is backed by Apple, has been targeted by Chinese authorities following its $4.4 billion listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Earlier this month,...

30 July 2021 | Connected Vehicles