Xpeng launches YOYO robotaxi testing in Guangzhou

Xpeng has launched online registration for its YOYO robotaxi service in Guangzhou, China. Access is currently restricted to users with company-distributed invitation codes as the company expands its beta testing group following more than 2,200 test runs completed by employees.

The testing phase in Guangzhou includes Class I, II, and III roads and is authorized to operate without a safety operator on board. This marks a transition from assisted experimentation to driverless operation in designated areas. The vehicle is based on the GX SUV model and features passenger amenities such as zero-gravity massage seats and integrated entertainment screens.

Technically, the YOYO distinguishes itself by operating without LiDAR sensors or high-definition maps. Instead, it utilizes a second-generation visual perception model called VLA 2.0, which integrates vision, language, and action. The system relies on cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors for safety, supported by four proprietary Xpeng Turing chips providing 3,000 TOPS of computing power. CEO He Xiaopeng stated that Xpeng aims to position itself as a technology provider and ecosystem enabler.