Pony.ai, an autonomous driving technology developer in China, has launched a demonstration operation line for autonomous driving between downtown areas, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and Guangzhou South Railway Station in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
In downtown areas of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, hailing an autonomous Robotaxi to travel to and from the airport or high-speed railway station has become a reality.
Pony.ai, an autonomous driving technology developer in China, launched a demonstration operation line for autonomous driving on Friday, allowing users to ride in autonomous vehicles to travel between designated locations in downtown Guangzhou, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and Guangzhou South Railway Station.
Pony.ai is the first company to introduce such a service and is the only company in Guangzhou that is approved to operate a demonstration line for autonomous driving.
The autonomous driving demonstration operation line includes four routes covering five locations in Guangzhou, with operating hours from 10 am to 3 pm and 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm daily. Fares are implemented according to relevant policies and charging standards.
The line's opening reflects Guangzhou's advancement and strong support for autonomous driving policies, according to the company.
Pony.ai, an autonomous driving technology developer in China, has launched a demonstration operation line for autonomous driving between downtown areas, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and Guangzhou South Railway Station in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The city has issued regulations on the innovation and development of intelligent connected vehicles, which will be implemented starting from Feb 28.
According to the regulations, Guangzhou will promote the construction of pilot areas for mixed driving of human-driven and autonomous vehicles in the city, focusing on route connectivity. It will also support the innovative application of intelligent connected vehicles on urban roads, highways, airports, ports, railway stations and other main transportation hubs.
Pony.ai previously unlocked autonomous driving scenarios at important transportation hubs in Beijing, such as Beijing Daxing Airport and Beijing South Railway Station.
According to the company, opening autonomous driving services in downtown Guangzhou, airports, and railway stations and initiating fee-based operations will accelerate the development of autonomous driving technology and commercial scenario exploration.
