One of China’s largest auto rental companies, Car Inc, has launched a new autonomous vehicle rental service in collaboration with Baidu’s intelligent driving arm, Apollo.

The announcement, made on Tuesday, marks a significant step in the commercial rollout of self-driving technology in the country’s fast-evolving mobility sector.
According to a statement from Car Inc, the initial fleet features specially customized Apollo self-driving vehicles, each designed to accommodate up to three passengers.

The company is targeting both short-term and flexible use cases, with booking durations ranging from four hours to seven days. The service is currently available to users aged 18 and above, reflecting a focus on young, tech-savvy consumers who are more likely to experiment with autonomous travel.

The partnership combines Car Inc’s extensive experience in vehicle fleet management and rental logistics with Baidu’s cutting-edge autonomous driving system. Apollo, Baidu’s smart driving platform, has been at the forefront of China’s driverless technology race, conducting widespread road tests and pilot programs in various cities.

The rollout comes amid increasing competition in China’s autonomous vehicle sector, where tech giants, automakers, and startups are racing to develop viable commercial applications. It also reflects growing consumer interest in AI-powered transportation options, particularly in urban areas where demand for flexible, on-demand mobility continues to rise.

Industry analysts see the partnership as a strong signal of confidence in the maturity of China’s self-driving technology. While regulatory and safety challenges remain, the controlled environment of a rental service—where cars can be maintained, monitored, and upgraded centrally—provides a viable platform for testing and scaling the technology.

Reservations for the self-driving rentals have already opened in select cities, though neither Car Inc nor Baidu specified which regions would be included in the initial launch phase.

As the technology progresses, Car Inc says it plans to expand the service to more cities and introduce more vehicle models equipped with Apollo’s AI driving system. Baidu, meanwhile, continues to invest heavily in Apollo’s development, positioning itself as a leader in autonomous systems not just in China but globally.