[DigitalToday reporter Jae-won Choi (최재원)] Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng has unveiled its robotaxi brand, XPENG YOYO, and started accepting registrations from external users to try its autonomous driving service. It is accelerating robotaxi commercialisation backed by AI technology it developed in-house.

Recently, CleanTechnica reported that Xpeng opened a dedicated YOYO page on its official website and began online registrations using invitation codes. It is a step to expand trial operations beyond employees to external users.

Xpeng described the move as a turning point from technical verification to commercial operation. YOYO is designed to deliver Level 4 (L4) autonomous driving based on its in-house Turing AI chip and the VLA 2.0 large model.

The vehicle carries 4 Turing AI chips, providing total computing performance of 3,000 TOPS. Xpeng explained this as world-class in-vehicle computing capability. It stressed that autonomous driving is possible using only camera-based perception technology, without lidar or high-definition maps.

Development and trial operations also moved quickly. In May, the first mass-produced robotaxi was delivered in Guangzhou, and in July it verified the entire operating process, from calling a vehicle to automated boarding and exiting.

In August, it secured remote testing qualifications from Guangzhou authorities. That allows driving tests on designated level 1 to 3 test roads without a safety officer in the driver’s seat.

It also strengthened user convenience features. Users can set the cabin temperature and fragrance functions before boarding, and the interior includes zero-gravity seats, massage functions and a large entertainment screen.

Xpeng plans to generate revenue through vehicle sales, technology services and operating fees, while leaving actual vehicle operations to local partners.

For now, it remains at a limited invitation-only trial stage, and it has not disclosed when full commercial service for the general public will begin.