China’s capital, Beijing, has adopted new measures to accelerate the adoption of autonomous driving technology, with plans to eventually permit driverless public buses and taxis, state media reported on Tuesday. The new regulations, effective from April 1, allow autonomous vehicles that meet road testing and safety standards to apply for road trials, the Beijing Daily stated.
The city aims to foster autonomous vehicle use for private cars, urban buses, trams, and taxis while promoting the development of intelligent road infrastructure to support advanced transportation systems.
The central Chinese city of Wuhan also announced similar regulations to enhance intelligent connected vehicle technology earlier this week.
China has been aggressively supporting self-driving technology, with at least 19 cities conducting trials for robotaxi and robobus services. Major players in the sector include Baidu’s Apollo Go, which plans to deploy 1,000 robotaxis in Wuhan by the end of 2024, and Pony.ai, which aims to expand its fleet nationwide to over 1,000 vehicles by 2026. Other companies like WeRide, AutoX, and SAIC Motor are also exploring opportunities in the autonomous vehicle space.
Tesla has indicated plans to introduce its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in China by early 2025, subject to regulatory approval, and intends to launch its own robotaxi production by 2026.
These developments highlight China’s growing emphasis on becoming a global leader in autonomous transportation innovation.
