Experienced ride-hailing drivers rejuvenate the autonomous driving industry

After two decades as a struggling auto mechanic and ride-hailing driver, Lu Weibing became a team manager and stood at the forefront of a new trend.

Determined to make a career change, Zhang Jiaqiang successfully navigated the "transformation crisis" from integrated design to software testing, reviving his career.

With a passion for autonomous driving, Liu Jianhua eventually joined Robotaxi, contributing to the growth of the industry.

These are the stories of Robotaxi employees.

As they embark on new careers, they are subtly reshaping the global autonomous driving landscape.

01

Ride-hailing drivers are transporting passengers home in a new way

"From auto mechanic to ride-hailing driver, then to ground support safety officer, my life has been intertwined with the development of the automotive industry," said Lu Weibing.

As an 80s-born witness to the rise, decline, and rebirth of Wuhan, China's "Automobile City," Lu's life mirrors the transformation of the city's automotive industry.

In 1979, Hubei's automotive industry led the country in reform and opening up, propelling Wuhan's rapid development. In 1992, the Second Automobile Works was renamed Dongfeng Motor Corporation and formed joint ventures with Nissan, Cummins, Renault Commercial Vehicles, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Honda, and other international giants, significantly advancing China's automotive industry. Wuhan became known as "China's Automotive Valley."

Drawn to the automotive industry's prosperity, Lu chose to study auto mechanics in college after high school.

His first job, like many others, was at a 4S dealership. Although his major was maintenance, Lu's hard work led him to explore various aspects of the industry, including automotive service, after-sales service, and consulting.

After gaining experience, Lu opened his own repair shop but struggled as the traditional gasoline vehicle market declined. He turned to ride-hailing, which offered stable benefits and income despite low base pay. However, as the ride-hailing industry became more challenging, Lu left for a more rewarding opportunity at Robotaxi.

Initially seeking automotive aftermarket work, Lu discovered Robotaxi was hiring safety officers. With his automotive expertise and ride-hailing experience, he easily passed the training and became a lead safety driver.

Within two years, Lu witnessed Robotaxi's technological advancements and transitioned from lead driver to co-driver, then backseat passenger, and finally to ground support safety officer.

This new role resembles his early days at the 4S dealership, requiring less intense work schedules. Lu records and prepares vehicles before operations, resolves issues on-site, and completes post-shift tasks.

While Lu didn't disclose specific earnings, he confirmed that Robotaxi offered more than ride-hailing. Now a ground support team leader, he oversees a diverse team of former ride-hailing drivers, food delivery riders, truck drivers, and mechanics.

"Embracing new things has brought unexpected changes to my life," Lu remarked.

Managing a team and solving problems poses challenges, but Lu, who has navigated 4S dealerships, entrepreneurship, ride-hailing, and safety roles, has faced them all.

Beyond personal growth, Lu's transformation exemplifies China's policy to optimize labor, tools, and production processes, contributing to global autonomous driving competition.

As a fiercely competitive technology sector, autonomous driving has seen significant investments. Recently, Waymo announced a doubling of weekly rides in the US, surpassing Robotaxi in paid rides. Alphabet, Waymo's parent company, pledged an additional $5 billion investment to maintain its global leadership.

Lu's career shift not only rejuvenated his professional life but also contributed to China's technological advancements and global competition.

This transformation inspires pride in individuals like Lu and others making similar leaps.

Similar stories abound. Recruitment platforms often prioritize candidates with ride-hailing experience for autonomous driving roles, opening new career paths for traditional industry professionals like Lu.

02

Midlife crisis? Cross-industry employment?

Autonomous driving welcomes all earnest and diligent explorers

Autonomous driving not only provides new job opportunities for experienced ride-hailing drivers like Lu but also serves as a fresh start for many others.

Zhang Jiaqiang, a former mechanical designer turned vehicle software operation and maintenance expert at Robotaxi, exemplifies this.

After a decade in mechanical design and manufacturing, Zhang was inspired by Robotaxi's recruitment. Seeking new challenges in Beijing's vibrant job market, he joined Robotaxi as a structural design engineer but soon faced a career transition to software testing.

With support, Zhang mastered Linux and programming, supporting the launch of the fifth-generation Jihu fox and nationwide deployment of his developed vehicle operation tools.

He advises those interested in autonomous driving to embrace learning, as the industry welcomes talent of all backgrounds.

Autonomous driving also attracts young professionals like Liu Jianhua, an electronics engineer who chose uncharted waters over a traditional career.

After supporting autonomous vehicles in logistics and technology firms, Liu joined Robotaxi in 2021 as a maintenance engineer, overcoming initial challenges with Robotaxi's systematic training.

Liu takes pride in Robotaxi's safe operations, seeing his contributions reflected in every ride. He looks forward to a future deeply involved in autonomous driving, enhancing travel safety and creating new job opportunities.

03

Final Thoughts

Will autonomous driving render ride-hailing drivers jobless? Lu and countless former ride-hailing drivers now in autonomous driving companies say no.

While they may not personally drive passengers, they contribute to safer, more efficient travel as part of a new professional identity.

Beyond ride-hailing, autonomous driving opens doors for professionals of all ages and backgrounds. Zhang and Liu demonstrate that embracing technological progress and continuous learning can lead to new opportunities and pioneering roles in the future.