Chengdu's Public Transportation Authority in collaboration with CRRC EV initiates trial run for autonomous buses
Chengdu, China, is taking a significant step forward in the development of autonomous bus systems with the launch of a new pilot project. The city's public transport group, Chengdu Public Transport Group, has partnered with CRRC Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd. (CRRC EV) to bring China's first guidelines for system integration testing of autonomous bus systems.
The collaboration between the two companies marks a milestone in the development of autonomous bus systems in China. The testing guidelines cover the testing of autonomous bus systems, specifically focusing on China, and may also be applied to future autonomous bus projects in the country.
The testing guidelines are likely to be used for the ongoing road tests of the 6-metre L4 autonomous minibuses currently undergoing trials in Chengdu. These vehicles support both manual and driverless modes and have a passenger capacity of up to 16 (seated). They feature onboard intelligent driving systems that integrate LiDAR, camera systems, a high-performance domain controller, and AI capabilities for planning, control, and BEV perception.
The partnership between Chengdu Public Transport Group and CRRC EV also aims to develop operational management systems for services, scheduling, command, inspection, maintenance, and emergency response. This comprehensive approach is expected to contribute to the full lifecycle management and technology system for autonomous buses in commercial operation, as aimed by the partnership.
The testing guidelines are expected to help ensure the safety and efficiency of autonomous bus systems in China. By establishing clear guidelines, the collaboration between the two companies aims to build a full lifecycle management and technology system for autonomous buses in commercial operation.
The pilot project includes the operation of four 6-metre L4 autonomous minibuses developed and manufactured by CRRC EV. The vehicles are currently undergoing road tests and will be made available to residents in Chengdu shortly.
The testing guidelines are a significant step in the development of autonomous bus systems by the collaboration between Chengdu Public Transport Group and CRRC EV. They are a testament to the innovative collaboration between the two companies in the field of autonomous driving. The guidelines may also aid in the development of operational management systems, further enhancing the efficiency and safety of autonomous bus systems in China.
