Shanghai Pilots Autonomous Driving with King Long Smart Buses

Shanghai Pilots Autonomous Driving with King Long Smart Buses

In September 2022, China’s Ministry of Transport announced the first batch of pilot projects for intelligent transportation applications. Among them, Shanghai Fengxian District’s Urban Mobility and Logistics Autonomous Driving Pilot Program was selected. Based on this initiative, Fengxian District has been building Shanghai’s first Smart Mobility Innovation Demonstration Zone, featuring China’s first BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) line powered by autonomous driving technology.

To support this pioneering project, Xiamen King Long United Automotive Industry Co., Ltd. (King Long) introduced its smart connected buses into operation, facilitating semi-commercial autonomous transportation services in Fengxian District. As of this month, King Long buses have covered 9,000 kilometers and transported 25,000 passengers using autonomous driving technology.

Shanghai Fengxian’s Smart Mobility Innovation Demonstration Zone is China’s first open testing area dedicated to addressing the “last mile” problem in daily commutes through autonomous driving. By integrating 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data, the zone has created a cooperative vehicle-road-network system, enabling seamless autonomous operations.

King Long’s smart connected buses operate on planned BRT routes, avoiding congested areas and leveraging signal priority systems to improve travel efficiency. This provides Shanghai residents with a faster, smarter, and more convenient public transport experience.

Cutting-Edge Technology for Smart Transport

King Long’s smart buses are designed to enhance urban mobility with 31 passenger seats and an autonomous driving speed of up to 50 km/h. Using 5G-V2X technology, the buses achieve collaborative control between vehicles, roads, and passengers. This group intelligence approach resolves complex traffic management challenges, building a safe, efficient, and eco-friendly urban transportation ecosystem.

During operations, King Long’s autonomous driving system demonstrates exceptional decision-making capabilities, especially in traffic light recognition and precise docking at bus stops. With steer-by-wire systems, high-precision mapping, and centimeter-level docking accuracy, the buses monitor real-time road conditions, pedestrian activity, and vehicle dynamics, ensuring safer and more reliable transportation.

Advanced Onboard Technology

Equipped with King Long’s proprietary intelligent onboard terminal (OBU), the buses deliver automotive-grade performance and support C-V2X applications via an SOA (Service-Oriented Architecture) server framework. With robust data management and cybersecurity systems, the OBU achieves high communication frequency, exceptional stability, precise positioning, and rapid signature verification. The system also supports end-to-end communication over distances exceeding 250 meters, ensuring seamless connectivity.

Pioneering Autonomous Bus Commercialization

As a trailblazer in autonomous driving commercialization in China, King Long leverages its technological expertise and innovative capabilities to drive progress in smart mobility. Looking forward, King Long will continue to innovate and deliver cutting-edge solutions for intelligent transportation, paving the way for the development of next-generation productivity in autonomous driving and smart cities.