Guangzhou Launches First Autonomous Driving Line, Connecting Downtown with Airport and Train Station

Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province in South China, has launched its first autonomous driving operation line. This makes it the first among China's first-tier cities to operate such lines connecting the downtown area with the train station and airport.

The operation line covers four routes and five destinations. Users can take autonomous driving vehicles to travel between designated positions in downtown Guangzhou and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport or Guangzhou South Railway Station. The routes will also cover urban areas and high-speed roads.

The Toyota Sienna-based Robotaxi, equipped with Pony.ai's sixth-generation autonomous driving system, will conduct the unmanned passenger-carrying demonstration. The company has obtained approval for the plan and demonstration routes from the Guangzhou government.

Guangzhou has passed Regulations on the Innovative Development of Intelligent Internet Connection Vehicles in Guangzhou, which will take effect from February 28. These regulations aim to promote a pilot area for mixed human and autonomous driving throughout the city and support the innovative application of intelligent connected vehicles in urban roads, highways, airports, ports, stations, and other major transportation hubs.

China's autonomous driving sector is expanding rapidly, with road testing taking place across the country. Pony.ai has unlocked autonomous driving scenarios at key transportation hubs in Beijing, such as Beijing Daxing International Airport and Beijing South Railway Station.

Other autonomous driving firms, including WeRide Inc and Baidu's Robotaxi, were granted permission in February 2022 to charge for trips using their self-driving taxi fleets between Beijing Daxing International Airport and Yizhuang area.