Chongqing - On July 3, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced that Chongqing is among the 20 cities selected for the "car-road-cloud integration" pilot projects for intelligent connected vehicles.

The "car-road-cloud integration" envisions a future where vehicles operate with advanced autonomous capabilities supported by intelligent road infrastructure and cloud technology. The new national policy has given Chongqing a major boost in its development of intelligent connected vehicles. 

China focuses on enhancing vehicle capabilities and infrastructure to advance autonomous driving technology. This includes deploying intelligent equipment along roads and intersections and establishing a unified cloud control platform. Known as the Cooperative Vehicle Infrastructure System, this approach contrasts with Tesla's emphasis on individual vehicle intelligence.

According to the MIIT, the pilot aims to expand connected cloud control infrastructure, facilitate widespread autonomous driving applications in diverse scenarios, and innovate new business models for "car-road-cloud integration."

The MIIT highlighted China's 17 national-level intelligent connected vehicle test zones and seven leading vehicle networking areas. However, fragmented infrastructure in different regions hinders the widespread adoption of autonomous driving and connected technologies. The new pilot city policy aims to scale from small demonstration zones to entire city areas for improved integration.

Chongqing is among China's early adopters of intelligent connected vehicle technology. Xu Lin, rotating president of Seres, a major player in the Chinese EV market, highlighted at an automotive forum that Chongqing's varied and challenging terrain as a mountainous city makes it ideal for testing intelligent connected vehicles.

Located in the heart of Jinfeng City Center within Western (Chongqing) Science City, the autonomous shuttle operates without human intervention, smoothly navigating through traffic by performing lane changes, acceleration, overtaking, and other maneuvers. 

An autonomous bus operates on the Chongqing High-tech Industrial Development Zone road. (Photo/Chongqing High-tech Zone)

The self-driving bus follows a set route, ensuring passengers reach their destinations reliably and laying the groundwork for research into integrating car, road, and cloud technologies.

In addition, Chongqing is home to electric vehicle manufacturers such as Changan Automobile and SERES, as well as autonomous driving technology research and development enterprises like Western China Science City Innovation Center of Intelligent and Connected Vehicles (WICV).

Seres Liangjiang Intelligent Factory. (Photo/Seres)