At the Beijing Motor Show, Geely unveiled the Eva Cab, its first purpose-built autonomous robotaxi prototype designed to compete directly with offerings from global players like Waymo, Zoox, and Tesla.
A Vehicle Built for Driverless Operation
The Eva Cab represents a significant departure from traditional automotive design. The prototype features no steering wheel and lacks conventional driver controls, emphasizing its core function: fully autonomous operation. This design choice underscores Geely’s commitment to reimagining mobility around passenger experience rather than driver interaction.
From a technological standpoint, the Eva Cab is powered by a 196-billion-parameter language model paired with processing speeds that, according to Geely, enable decision-making three times faster than human drivers. The vehicle’s sensory system comprises 43 components, including multiple LiDAR units and high-definition cameras providing complete 360-degree coverage with no blind spots.
According to the manufacturer, the Eva Cab can handle 99% of everyday driving scenarios, including unmapped roads and operator-assisted toll stations—a notable achievement given the complexity of Chinese highway infrastructure. Remarkably, the vehicle can even automatically handle highway toll payments, a practical feature that streamlines operation in real-world conditions.
Production Timeline and Partnerships
Geely plans to begin series production of the Eva Cab in 2027, coinciding with the launch of commercial service trials. The vehicle will be developed in collaboration with the ride-hailing platform Caocao Mobility, which will serve as an initial deployment partner and provide real-world testing data.
Key Milestone:Series production and commercial service trials are scheduled to begin in 2027, marking a significant step toward making autonomous robotaxis a reality in China and potentially beyond.
A Holistic Vision for Autonomous Mobility
Gan Jiayue, CEO of Geely Automobile Group, outlined a comprehensive vision for the future of autonomous driving during his presentation at the Beijing Motor Show. Rather than focusing narrowly on autonomous technology itself, Geely’s “AI 2.0” strategy integrates design, hardware, software, and ecosystem development with a human-centered approach.
This philosophy translates into a vehicle architecture that prioritizes passenger comfort and safety. Sensors and LiDAR units are integrated visibly into the design—a deliberate choice meant to communicate safety and transparency to occupants. The Eva Cab also incorporates advanced electronics based partly on quantum computing technologies, intended to further enhance data protection and system reliability.
Technical Foundation: The EA4.0 Platform
The Eva Cab is built on the EA4.0 platform, which delivers over 3,000 TOPS of computing power—a technical specification required for Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities. This platform is already undergoing real-world testing through services like CaoCao Mobility, providing Geely with valuable operational data and insights that will inform the final commercial version.
The Broader Ambition
Looking ahead, Geely’s stated objective extends beyond individual vehicle performance. The company aims to achieve fully integrated mobility that eliminates wait times, traffic congestion, and accidents—an ambitious vision that would position Geely among the leading global actors in the future autonomous taxi market.
With the Eva Cab, Geely demonstrates that the race for autonomous mobility innovation is no longer dominated exclusively by Western companies, signaling a significant shift in the global automotive landscape and the emergence of China as a major player in autonomous vehicle technology.
