Beijing sets about construction of 100 km² self-driving pilot zone

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- China’s first closed field for autonomous vehicle tests has been built at Haidian District in Beijing, according to local media outlets. At the same time, local government has set about building a 100-square- kilometers autonomous driving pilot zone at Zhongguancun Science Park.

According to a governmental document issued on May 19, Haidian District will construct a distinctive closed autonomous driving testing field with complete functions, creating a testing environment that fully integrates ICVs (intelligent-connected vehicles) and smart traffic system. The testing ground will be powered by such advanced technologies as 5G communications, intelligent perception and vehicle-infrastructure cooperative system. Besides, participants will be given up to RMB5 million supporting funds from the government based on the final construction effect. 

Additionally, the authority will render up to RMB10 million as encourage capital to such self-driving pilot programs as short-haul shuttle, logistics delivery, intelligent sweeping and smart buses according to the developing performance. 

To form an ecosystem of “automobile brain”, the government will allocate up to RMB10 million funds to develop core parts like vehicular intelligent sensing, processing chips and a basis platform embracing generic technologies such as computing, cloud control, in-car terminal, HD dynamic map and simulation testing, aiming to promote R&D and industrialized application of such key and core technologies. 

In fact, the 100-square-kilometers autonomous driving pilot zone was put forward as early as 2018 as part of programs appearing in a white paper issued by Beijing Municipal Government. The document clarifies that the pilot zone is not just an open section of road, but would connect autonomous vehicles with human’s living scenarios.