Chongqing - During an exclusive interview with Bridging News on March 21, Lou Fangdi, Operations Director at China Merchants Auto-Trans Technology Co., Ltd. (CMAT), explains how the company redefines productivity standards in transportation and demonstrates the diverse scenarios of applying new quality productive forces. 

CMAT, a subsidiary of China Merchants Group, established in July 2023 at Western (Chongqing) Science City, specializes in intelligent transportation technology services. Their goal is to lead globally in intelligent transportation scenario services.

Lou explains their strategy: a skilled team proficient in transportation, control, and artificial intelligence leads the "scene generalization iteration + combination scheduling algorithm." This novel method has resulted in a distinctive product range combining hardware and software, meeting customer demands, improving logistics efficiency, cutting costs, and promoting sustainable development.

"Our vision is to deliver safe, efficient, green, and scalable intelligent transportation services, thereby generating value for scenario owners and suppliers," said Lou.

Enhancing safety for self-driving cars in complex areas

CMAT is embracing new energy vehicles (NEVs), AI, and big data, showcasing the collective power of new quality productive forces, propelling the intelligent driving transportation industry forward.

According to Lou, at the heart of their technological advancement is the integration of "vehicle, road, and cloud" by leveraging new-generation information and communication technologies. 

This strategy has birthed a new-generation port-level transportation scheduling system that champions safety, efficiency, and energy savings underpinned by artificial intelligence (AI) scenario-adaptation technology.

The Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) messaging middleware, alongside the creation of vehicle safety dispatch terminals and edge fusion sensing algorithms, plays a crucial role in facilitating the safe and efficient navigation of self-driving vehicles through intricate surroundings.

In 2015, the core team of CMAT spearheaded the inaugural comprehensive study on vehicle-road collaboration for the Chongqing Science and Technology Bureau. Initially, the collaboration employed foreign-dominated Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) technology. 

Since then, China has shifted to Cellular-vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) communication tech based on cellular networks. The team developed V2X messaging middleware to address specific needs. It enables advanced features like merging zone warnings, energy-efficient driving tips on curves, and coordinated driving, significantly improving road safety and efficiency.

Valuable experience in Chongqing's inland port

Lou points to their operational successes in key ports like Shenzhen Mawan Smart Port and Ningbo Daxie Terminal, where their intelligent driving solutions have addressed consistency and efficiency challenges head-on. 

CMAT debuts its inaugural port automated driving safety supervision platform, boosting safety via real-time vehicle performance monitoring, sensor data, and safety officer status. Leveraging past operations and incidents enhances safety assessments and accident prevention. Deployed in Mawan and Daxie ports, it provides critical insights into Chongqing's inland port safety strategies.

CMAT deployed several applications in Western (Chongqing) Science City. To enhance safety, 100 dump trucks have already been equipped with network terminals. Safety sensing systems have also been installed on Science Avenue and bus stops, boosting the intelligent connected new energy vehicle industry.

Zu Hui, manager of CMAT, reflects on the company's rapid growth over nine months, attributing success to their choice of Western (Chongqing) Science City as a base due to its solid industrial ecosystem and future growth potential.

Last year, Chongqing introduced the "33618" modern manufacturing cluster system, emphasizing ICV as a key industry. Western (Chongqing) Science City echoed this focus, highlighting ICV and its core components as primary industry targets, showcasing its commitment to leading tech-driven industrial growth.