📰 This Monday, December 15, the Chinese mainland granted road approval for two electric sedans with Level-3 autonomous driving capabilities, marking a milestone in self-driving tech! 🚗🤖⚡️
The models, developed by Changan Automobile and BAIC Motor's Arcfox, received the green light from the Chinese mainland's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
- Changan Sedan: Handles single-lane autonomous driving up to 50 km/h during traffic congestion on specific highway and urban expressway sections in the southwestern city of Chongqing.
- Arcfox Sedan: Operates autonomously at speeds up to 80 km/h on designated sections of highways and urban expressways in Beijing.
Autonomous driving tech is classified from Level-0 (no automation) to Level-5 (full automation). Level-3, known as 'conditionally automated driving,' allows the car to manage driving tasks but requires the human driver to be ready to take over when prompted.
Back in September, the Chinese mainland issued a work plan outlining conditional approval for Level-3 vehicle production. These new permits are the first real-world test of that plan, paving the way for more cities and models to follow.
Amigos, buckle up—2025 is shaping up to be the year self-driving cars hit the streets for real! 🚀
Reference(s):
China grants first Level-3 autonomous driving vehicle permits
cgtn.com
