China gives nod to public trials of advanced autonomous driving
The approval is part of a plan to accelerate adoption of self-driving cars
04 June 2024 - 21:12
byZhang Yan, Qiaoyi Li and Ryan Woo
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A car of Baidu's autonomous ride-hailing service platform Apollo Go drives on a street in Shenzhee, China.
Picture: REUTERS
China has granted approval to a first group of nine carmakers to carry out tests on vehicles with advanced autonomous driving technologies on public roads, as part of a plan to accelerate adoption of self-driving cars.
The tests of so-called level three autonomous driving technologies will be carried out by automakers including BYDand Nio, as well as major state-owned manufacturers such as Changan Automobile, GAC and SAIC, according to a statement published by the industry ministry on Tuesday.
Fleet operators such as ride-hailing companies will also be involved in the tests.
The motor industry has defined five levels of autonomous driving, spanning driver assistance features such as cruise control at level one to fully self-driving cars at level five.
China issued the guideline of the nationwide scheme in November 2023 to start accepting applications from companies that seek to roll out more fully autonomous driving vehicles for mass adoption.
In the plan, drivers in the test vehicles are allowed to take their hands off the steering wheels, with automakers and fleet operators taking responsibility for safety.
The ministry said the trial would pave the way for further commercialisation of more advanced autonomous driving technologies, without elaborating. Carmaker executives said it was a step closer to allowing level three vehicles to be sold to, and used by, individual buyers and fleet operators.
At least 10 automakers and suppliers including Huawei and Xpeng have been offering level two autonomous driving capabilities in China, which still require an attentive driver with hands on the wheel.
Tesla is also preparing to deliver its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software to Chinese users this year. FSD is also a level-two system but Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said more fully autonomous vehicles are close.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
China gives nod to public trials of advanced autonomous driving
The approval is part of a plan to accelerate adoption of self-driving cars
China has granted approval to a first group of nine carmakers to carry out tests on vehicles with advanced autonomous driving technologies on public roads, as part of a plan to accelerate adoption of self-driving cars.
The tests of so-called level three autonomous driving technologies will be carried out by automakers including BYD and Nio, as well as major state-owned manufacturers such as Changan Automobile, GAC and SAIC, according to a statement published by the industry ministry on Tuesday.
Fleet operators such as ride-hailing companies will also be involved in the tests.
The motor industry has defined five levels of autonomous driving, spanning driver assistance features such as cruise control at level one to fully self-driving cars at level five.
China issued the guideline of the nationwide scheme in November 2023 to start accepting applications from companies that seek to roll out more fully autonomous driving vehicles for mass adoption.
In the plan, drivers in the test vehicles are allowed to take their hands off the steering wheels, with automakers and fleet operators taking responsibility for safety.
The ministry said the trial would pave the way for further commercialisation of more advanced autonomous driving technologies, without elaborating. Carmaker executives said it was a step closer to allowing level three vehicles to be sold to, and used by, individual buyers and fleet operators.
At least 10 automakers and suppliers including Huawei and Xpeng have been offering level two autonomous driving capabilities in China, which still require an attentive driver with hands on the wheel.
Tesla is also preparing to deliver its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software to Chinese users this year. FSD is also a level-two system but Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said more fully autonomous vehicles are close.
Reuters
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