China revolutionizes transportation: autonomous buses dominate Shenzhen

The implementation of autonomous transportation vehicles has sparked heated debates, and Shenzhen in southern China’s Guangdong province is set to operate 20 self-driving buses within a year, according to local media reports.

Experts told the Global Times on Tuesday (16) that the future of autonomous driving still faces many challenges, especially regarding safety.

Currently, four self-driving bus routes have been approved and are expected to be officially launched by the end of July, with a fare of 1 yuan ($0.14) per trip. These routes will cover subway stations, commercial and residential areas, central business districts, industrial parks and scenic spots.

The autonomous shuttles are equipped with high-definition cameras, millimeter-wave radar and LiDAR, offering 360-degree awareness of surrounding vehicles, pedestrians and changing road conditions. In addition, they utilize an advanced automated driving system that enables quick decision-making and precise control, comparable to an experienced driver, ensuring safe navigation on pre-determined routes.

Inside, the vehicles feature an interactive display screen that provides real-time information about surrounding traffic, autonomous driving status and the planned route. During operation, the buses can recognize lane markings and traffic lights, perform overtaking maneuvers and handle a variety of challenging urban scenarios, such as unprotected left turns and intersections with mixed traffic.

In Ji’nan, capital of east China’s Shandong Province, the first batch of self-driving buses has begun test operations to collect map data. Ji’nan has introduced four self-driving buses, with the first completing 240 hours or 1,000 kilometers of on-road testing before entering the demonstration application phase.

Recently, government departments released a list of pilot areas for the application of a smart grid that integrates smart vehicles, smart roads and real-time cloud technologies, selecting 20 cities including Jinan and Shenzhen. Shanghai is also set to start public testing of self-driving cars, offering free rides during the trial period.

Concerns about the safety of autonomous driving have been raised after an incident involving a Baidu robotaxi vehicle that collided with a pedestrian in Wuhan. Wu Shuocheng, an auto industry analyst, said that despite the acceptance of automated driving, there are still significant challenges to its large-scale deployment, and it is most feasible in relatively simple, closed-route scenarios.

Self-driving technology is evolving rapidly, but the public still has concerns about its maturity and the attribution of liability in the event of accidents. Wu pointed out that from a technical perspective, autonomous driving can be safer than human driving, but software control poses great risks, especially if it is maliciously modified.

In Shenzhen’s Pingshan District, the application of smart grid is breaking new ground, with many companies in the industry chain seizing the opportunity. Shenzhen has nearly 460 smart grid-related automotive companies, forming a comprehensive ecosystem. However, Wu pointed out that the high cost of purchasing and operating these applications is still a significant challenge for the industry.

Via News Agencies