Baidu move sees 'robocars' turning a corner

The phrase "back-seat driver" may soon take on a new meaning as companies race to embrace the technology to produce fully autonomous vehicles for use on China's road network. Cheng Yingqi reports.

The news that Baidu will participate in a citywide trial of autonomous vehicles signals the latest move in the internet giant's plans to become a major player in the burgeoning market.

Under a five-year agreement between China's biggest search engine and the city of Wuhu in the eastern province of Anhui, the company's autonomous cars, buses and vans will gradually be introduced to selected roads and zones before eventually being allowed to use public highways throughout the city. The vehicles will not carry passengers during the first three years of the trial period.