文远、小马、萝卜，本是同根生？

Core Viewpoint - Baidu plays a pivotal role in China's autonomous driving sector, particularly in the Robotaxi market, similar to Google's influence with Waymo. The development paths of companies like WeRide, Pony.ai, and Apollo Go reflect the broader commercialization process of Robotaxi in China [1]. Group 1: WeRide - WeRide was founded by Han Xu, a former chief scientist at Baidu's autonomous driving division, and initially operated under the name Jingchi Technology. The company faced legal challenges from Baidu over alleged trade secret violations [3][4]. - The company shifted its focus from solely Robotaxi services to a multi-scenario approach, including the launch of RoboBus, a Level 4 autonomous minibus, and Robosweeper, an autonomous cleaning vehicle [4][5]. - In Q1 2023, WeRide reported revenue of approximately 72.44 million yuan, with Robotaxi contributing only 22.3% of that. However, by Q2 2023, revenue surged to 127 million yuan, with Robotaxi revenue increasing to 36.1% [5]. Group 2: Pony.ai - Pony.ai was co-founded by Peng Jun and Lou Tiancheng, both of whom have strong backgrounds in technology and experience at Baidu. The company established partnerships with automakers like Toyota to integrate autonomous driving into mass-produced vehicles [8][11]. - By 2023, Pony.ai had provided over 2.5 million autonomous rides, with a peak daily order volume of 15,000. The company also launched a "driverless heavy truck" business, completing over 500,000 kilometers of testing [12]. - Pony.ai's strategy emphasizes dual engines of Robotaxi and commercial freight, allowing it to diversify revenue streams and maintain a robust R&D team despite industry challenges [12]. Group 3: Apollo Go - Apollo Go, Baidu's in-house Robotaxi brand, benefits from the company's extensive resources in AI, mapping, and computing power. It was launched in 2021 and has rapidly expanded its operations across multiple cities [14][15]. - By Q2 2023, Apollo Go had provided over 14 million rides globally, with a quarterly order volume exceeding 1.4 million, making it the largest Robotaxi platform in China [16][18]. - Unlike its competitors, Apollo Go is fully funded by Baidu, allowing it to focus on scaling operations without the immediate pressure for profitability [18].