In order to test the CBDC, Didi Chuxing has entered into a strategic partnership with the Digital Currency Research Institute of the People’s Bank of China (PBoC).

In a statement, Didi Chuxing said, “Recently, the Digital Currency Research Institute of the People’s Bank of China and Didi Chuxing officially reached a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly study and explore the innovation and application of digital RMB in the field of smart mobility.”

“Both parties look forward to establishing a cooperative relationship, giving full play to their respective advantages and promoting the digital ecological platform construction in a diversified travel scenario, so as to achieve complementary advantages and win-win cooperation.”

Last month, Didi Chuxing announced that it will operate around 1 million robo-taxis under its platform by the end of 2030.

According to Didi Chuxing, it is currently working on autonomous driving technologies and plans to deploy its robo-taxis in regions where there is a shortage of cars or drivers.

Earlier this year, Didi Chuxing announced that it has secured an investment of around $500 million in a fresh funding round led by SoftBank. Reportedly, the proceedings came through SoftBank’s  Vision Fund 2.

China has been working on its CBDC for a long period time. And in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the process of launching the digital version of yuan has been accelerated.

The central bank also carried out the first real-world pilot of the currency in December 2019.

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According to Didi Chuxing, it is currently working on autonomous driving technologies and plans to deploy its robo-taxis in regions where there is a shortage of cars or drivers.

The company’s chief operating officer, Meng Xing confirmed the same during an online conference hosted by the South China Morning Post.

Last year in August, Didi Chuxing announced that it would begin picking up riders with self-driving cars in Shanghai, and would then expand the program from there, culminating in the deployment of its vehicles outside of China by 2021.

In recent times, we have witnessed Chinese automakers and tech companies investing billions in the autonomous driving industry to compete with the likes of Tesla, Alphabet Waymo, and Uber Technologies.

Last month, Didi Chuxing announced that it has secured an investment of around $500 million in a fresh funding round led by SoftBank.

Reportedly, the proceedings came through SoftBank’s  Vision Fund 2.

Earlier this month, Didi Chuxing also announced that it is launching an on-demand cargo delivery service. The cargo delivery service is available in Chengdu and Hangzhou and has started operating since June 23.

Customers will be able to place logistic orders through Didi Chuxing’s mobile application.

A spokesperson from Didi Chuxing told TechWeb that the company selected Chengdu and Hangzhou as the first two pilot cities after a comprehensive assessment based on user votes and driver registrations in various cities.

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The cargo delivery service by Didi Chuxing will be available in Chengdu and Hangzhou and will start operating on June 23.

Customers will be able to place logistic orders through Didi Chuxing’s mobile application.

A spokesperson from Didi Chuxing told TechWeb that the company selected Chengdu and Hangzhou as the first two pilot cities after a comprehensive assessment based on user votes and driver registrations in various cities.

According to reports, the company has hired more than 20,000 drivers so far and recruitment and training are still underway. Didi Chuxing has also hired two logistics companies for the recruitment and training process.

Didi Chuxing’s intention to launch a freight delivery service were speculated a month ago, when it took out a job ad to hire van drivers in 10 Chinese cities.

Media reports also reveal that Didi has already invested $14 million as registered capital in two cargo delivery and packaging companies.

Didi Chuxing, which is  China’s largest ride-hailing platform, is doubling down on bike rentals, public bus services, and home delivery, seeking new growth engines in a more general mobility market.

Since the coronavirus pandemic, which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan last year, the logistics and transportation sector has taken a severe hit.

Recently, Didi Chuxing said its ride-sharing orders in China this month has recovered to levels seen over the same period a year earlier.

Earlier in March, Didi launched an errand service called “Paotui,” in Chengdu and Hangzhou, promising to deliver everything from groceries, drinks, medicine, and even flowers within a city, with drivers from the firm’s dedicated service Didi Chauffeur as the first batch of errand runners.

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