At the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) held in Shanghai from July 17th to 20th, Professor Joseph Sifakis, Turing Award laureate and Chief Science Advisor for CAOCAO INC, delivered a video address at the AI International Standardization Forum.
In his speech, he outlined for the first time three core principles that trustworthy Robotaxi services should adhere to, providing crucial theoretical guidance for the integration of artificial intelligence into the physical world.
Professor Sifakis, a foundational scholar internationally recognized in trustworthy AI, has long focused his research on formal methods, complex system safety, and trustworthy autonomous systems.
He noted that as AI increasingly transitions from the digital to the physical realm, Robotaxi is emerging as one of the most significant application scenarios. The future development of Robotaxi, he argued, depends not only on the capabilities of AI models but, more critically, on the system's ability to operate safely, reliably, and predictably in open, complex, and uncertain environments.
Addressing this challenge, Professor Sifakis proposed three fundamental principles for achieving trustworthy Robotaxi.
Initial Principle: Safety by Construction
Safety should not rely on post-facto remedies but must be integrated into the vehicle's architecture from the initial design phase, establishing a foundational safety base through native design.
Second Principle: System Synergy
A Robotaxi is not merely a single vehicle but a complex autonomous system comprising the vehicle, cloud platform, dispatch system, communication network, and operational framework. Trustworthiness for the entire system can only be achieved through the coordinated operation of all these components.
Third Principle: Operational Assurance
Given the perpetual uncertainty of open roads, safety assurance must be maintained throughout the entire operational process. This involves continuous mechanisms such as real-time monitoring, system redundancy, and remote support to preserve the system's safety boundaries.
Professor Sifakis emphasized that these principles are not abstract theories but are derived from the long-term engineering practices of developing trustworthy autonomous systems. They form a vital foundation for Robotaxi services to progress towards large-scale commercial operation.
He observed that the RoboX system developed by CAOCAO INC, which integrates intelligent custom vehicles, intelligent driving, and intelligent operations, aligns closely with the systemic engineering philosophy emphasized by trustworthy autonomous system theory.
Building upon this theory, CAOCAO INC has further proposed a trustworthy Robotaxi capability framework. This system solution for large-scale commercial operations is structured around three core competencies: trustworthy vehicles, trustworthy operational assurance, and a trustworthy operating system, driving the engineering application of trustworthiness concepts in real-world mobility scenarios.
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