Chinese autonomous vehicle company Caocao Mobility is integrating LEO satellite connectivity into its Robotaxi 2.0 fleet, enabling satellite-based emergency calls in areas without cellular coverage.
Caocao Mobility, a Chinese ride-hailing platform, has announced that its Robotaxi 2.0 fleet will integrate low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications to enable emergency calls in areas without cellular coverage. The company is partnering with Spacety (Shikong Daoyu) to implement this satellite-based SOS feature, which will serve as a backup to existing in-vehicle emergency systems.
This move builds on Caocao's earlier achievement as the world's first Robotaxi operator to apply LEO satellite communications in commercial operations. In October 2024, the company revealed that its Robotaxi 1.0 fleet had already achieved real-time connectivity between vehicles and satellite networks during the 2025 World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference.
The satellite SOS feature addresses a critical safety gap in autonomous vehicle operations. When passengers are in areas with weak or unavailable 4G or 5G signals, they will be able to connect via LEO satellite links to Caocao's RAS remote safety service platform. This redundancy is particularly important as the company transitions from safety-driver-assisted operations to fully driverless services with Robotaxi 2.0.
Beyond emergency communications, the LEO satellite integration serves multiple purposes for Caocao's autonomous fleet. The satellite network will provide ubiquitous communications coverage and high-precision positioning data broadcasting, essential for navigation and operational reliability in remote areas. This "space-ground" integration represents a significant step toward building a comprehensive safety assurance system for autonomous mobility services.
Caocao Mobility is also developing a fully customized Robotaxi model in partnership with Geely, preloaded with dedicated autonomous driving components and applications. The vehicle is expected to debut later this year, with plans to deploy a cumulative total of 100,000 units by 2030. The company is exploring hybrid operations combining human-driven and autonomous vehicles during the transition period.
Looking further ahead, Caocao Mobility plans to collaborate with Geely Holding ecosystem partners, including Spacety and Aerofugia, to explore seamless connections between Robotaxi services and eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft. The vision is to establish an integrated space-ground transportation service network covering major Chinese cities by early 2030, centered on the concept of a "green intelligent mobility hub."
The implementation of LEO satellite connectivity in autonomous vehicles represents a significant technological advancement for the industry. While traditional cellular networks have coverage limitations, especially in rural or remote areas, satellite communications can provide reliable connectivity anywhere on Earth. This capability is particularly crucial for emergency services in autonomous vehicles, where passengers may need immediate assistance regardless of their location.
Spacety, the satellite technology provider for this project, is a commercial Chinese aerospace company specializing in small satellite development and launch services. Their LEO satellite network will be the backbone of Caocao's enhanced safety features, providing the necessary infrastructure for continuous vehicle-to-cloud communication.
The timing of this announcement coincides with growing global interest in satellite connectivity for various applications beyond traditional telecommunications. Companies like SpaceX with Starlink, Amazon's Project Kuiper, and various other satellite constellation projects are working to provide global broadband coverage. Caocao's application of this technology to autonomous vehicles demonstrates how satellite communications can solve specific industry challenges related to connectivity and safety.
As autonomous vehicle technology continues to evolve, the integration of multiple communication systems - including cellular, Wi-Fi, and now satellite - will likely become standard practice. The ability to maintain constant connectivity regardless of location addresses one of the key concerns about autonomous vehicle safety and reliability, particularly in emergency situations where immediate human intervention may be necessary.
The Robotaxi 2.0 with satellite SOS capability represents a significant step forward in autonomous vehicle safety technology, potentially setting a new standard for the industry as companies worldwide work to deploy driverless transportation solutions at scale.
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