Apollo, Baidu's autonomous driving unit, and CAR Inc, a leading car rental company in China, have launched the world's first autonomous car rental service available to the general public.

Built on Apollo's Level 4 autonomous driving platform, the service is closely integrated with CAR Inc's nationwide rental network and fleet operations.

It is the first rental service offering in China to combine fully autonomous driving with a completely self-service process.

Now open for reservations through the CAR Inc mobile app, the service allows users aged 18 and above to book, unlock, and return a self-driving vehicle entirely without human assistance.

The first fleet of custom-designed Apollo vehicles accommodates up to three passengers and is integrated with Baidu's driverless system to ensure ease of use.

The service's pricing is aligned with CAR Inc's existing short-term rental pricing and supports flexible bookings ranging from four hours to seven days, catering to use cases that range from daily commutes to weekend travel.

During the rental period, users can set their route within the operational area, with the option to explore destinations including dining, scenic spots, cultural landmarks and historical sites.

The launch underscores the growing momentum in China's autonomous mobility sector.

Autonomous car rental services are seen as particularly promising due to their ease of use and flexibility, appealing to both urban users and tourists, and providing a transportation option for those who are unable or find it inconvenient to drive.

Earlier in May, Apollo and CAR Inc announced that the two parties will further deepen their collaboration to advance the deployment of autonomous driving technology across more scenarios and redefine traditional rental services.

The partnership seeks to address a key gap in China's rapidly growing car rental market, which is projected to exceed 300 billion yuan (about $41 billion) by 2030, said Baidu.